Joshlin Smith trial: Lombaard requests another brief adjournment
Lombaard was escorted from the dock twice on Wednesday after seemingly having a panic attack under cross-examination.
Former accused in the Joshlin Smith trial, Lourentia Lombaard, testified at the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre on 17 March 2025. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Accused turned State witness Lourencia Lombaard was back in the dock on Thursday in the Joshlin Smith trial 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.
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Her testimony has implicated Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Stevano van Rhyn in an alleged human trafficking plot linked to Joshlin's disappearance.
Judge Nathan Erasmus started proceedings by telling Lombaard to take a deep breath and relax.
Lombaard then handed the court a doctor's note, saying she was fit to proceed with cross-examination.
Defence attorney Fanie Harmse, who represents Appollis, continued trying to discredit Lombaard by highlighting discrepancies in her testimony and the statements submitted to police.
On Thursday, Lombaard appeared calmer and answered Harmse and Judge Erasmus' questions slowly and directly.
But she again requested a short adjournment after prosecutor Zelda Swanepoel told the court it appeared Lombaard was taking the strain.