Carlo Petersen25 March 2024 | 8:56

Fourth accused confesses to involvement in Joshlin Smith case

Lourentia Lombaard, a friend of Joshlin Smith's mother, appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court for her alleged involvement in the girl's disappearance.

Fourth accused confesses to involvement in Joshlin Smith case

Missing 6-year-old Joshlin Smith / Facebook: Rosemarie Pluke

 CAPE TOWN - A fourth accused has confessed to her involvement in the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith in Saldanha Bay.

Lourentia Lombaard abandoned her bail application in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Monday.

Lombaard along with Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking related to the little girl's disappearance.

READ: Saldanha Bay community ‘not shocked’ by involvement of fourth accused Lombaard

The State told the court Lombaard will now join her co-accused, when they appear in court again on 19 May.

Joshlin has still not been found after she vanished from her family home in Middelpos informal settlement.

 Lombaard on Monday told the court she has opted not to go ahead with a bail hearing.

The National Prosecuting Authority says Lombaard has confessed to being involved in Joshlin's disappearance — but details of that confession cannot be divulged at this stage.

The State told the court Lombaard will now join her co-accused, Smith, Appollis and van Ryhn when they appear in court on 13 May.