Joshlin Smith: Charges against accused number 4 Lourencia Lombaard withdrawn
Joshlin Smith has been missing for eight months after disappearing from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay in February.
(From left) Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, Kelly Smith and Lourencia Lombaard appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court related to the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith on 21 October 2024. Picture: Carlo Petersen/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - One of the four accused in the kidnapping and human trafficking case related to the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith is set to be released.
Joshlin has been missing for eight months after disappearing from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay in February.
The missing six-year-old's mother, Kelly Smith, and her three co-accused made another appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Monday, where charges against Lourencia Lombaard were withdrawn.
READ: Saldanha Bay residents haven't given up hope of finding Joshlin Smith alive, says community leader
The kidnapping and human trafficking case against Smith, Jacquen Appolis and Stevano van Rhyn has now been transferred to the Western Cape High Court.
State prosecutor Aradhana Heeramun explained: "I can confirm today that this matter will be transferred in terms of section 75 of the Criminal Procedure Act to the high court for a pre-trial conference."
Heeramun did not elaborate as to why the charges against Lombaard were withdrawn, saying the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) would release a statement at a later stage.
Missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith’s mother Kelly Smith and her co-accused have made another appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court. Kidnapping and human trafficking charges against accused four, Lourencia Lombaard have been withdrawn. CP pic.twitter.com/pbrs3iggVY
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) October 21, 2024