Joshlin Smith disappearance: Saldanha Bay community ‘not shocked’ by involvement of fourth accused Lombaard

CAPE TOWN - Thirty-one-year-old Lourentia Lombaard appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Monday morning where she's been charged with kidnapping and human trafficking related to the disappearance of Joshlin Smith.

Joshlin has been missing for a month after disappearing from her family home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February.

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The little girl's mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn have since been arrested and charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.

Lombaard appeared in a relatively empty courtroom, where she was added to the case as the fourth accused in the case.

When asked of Lombard’s involvement in the matter, State prosecutor Jacques Van Zyl told the court Lombaard confessed to police.

Saldanha Bay resident Diego Dierdricks, who has been part of the search for Joshlin, said the community is not surprised.

“I’m not shocked because we had a suspicion that she was involved. We went to her house to confront her, and you could see her body language. She was stuttering and her body language was off.”

Lombaard will remain in custody until 25 March for the State to collect bail information.