Joshlin Smith trial: Lombaard grilled over contradictions in testimony & confession statement
Lourentia Lombaard on Thursday admitted to the court that she lied, was confused, made mistakes and couldn't remember certain details in her confession statement to police.
Former accused in the Joshlin Smith trial, Lourentia Lombaard testifies at the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre on 17 March 2025. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CAPE TOWN - The testimony of former accused-turned-State-witness, Lourentia Lombaard, came under intense scrutiny on Thursday in the Joshlin Smith trial.
Earlier on Thursday, Lombaard was back in the dock for little more than an hour before again requesting a brief adjournment.
Lombaard was escorted from the dock twice on Wednesday after seemingly having a panic attack under cross-examination.
Her testimony has implicated Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn, for being complicit in Joshlin's disappearance.
Lombaard on Thursday admitted to the court that she lied, was confused, made mistakes and couldn't remember certain details in her confession statement to police.
Defence attorney Fanie Harmse, who represents accused number one, Jacquen Appollis, continued trying to discredit Lombaard by highlighting discrepancies in her testimony and statements to police.
Lombaard turned State witness in October last year after she presented police with a confession statement.
Harmse and Judge Nathan Erasmus questioned Lombaard on Thursday about numerous contradictions in her testimony and confession statement before the matter adjourned for the day.