Former accused turned state witness denied involvement in alleged plot to sell Joshlin Smith
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and his friend Stevano van Rhyn, are on trial for the child's disappearance.
Former accused in the Joshlin Smith trial, Lourentia Lombaard, testified at the Western Cape High Court, sitting in the Multi-Purpose Centre on 14 March 2025. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CAPE TOWN - An accused in the Joshlin Smith trial has denied being part of an alleged plan to sell the little girl to a sangoma.
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and his friend Stevano van Rhyn, are on trial for the child's disappearance.
The accused are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in the Western Cape High Court, sitting in the Saldanha Bay multi-purpose centre.
On Monday, defence attorney Fanie Harmse, who represents Appollis wrapped up his cross-examination of former accused turned state witness Lourentia Lombaard.
Harmse questioned Lombaard about her version of events on the day Joshlin Smith went missing.
Lombaard testified she witnessed [Kelly] Smith pack Joshlin's clothes into a black cooler bag that morning.
Lombaard said before Smith left for work, she told Appollis he must get Joshlin ready.
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Harmse told the court his client denies being part of Smith’s alleged plan to sell Joshlin.
He said Appollis also denies seeing Smith pack a bag for Joshlin, and he did not hear Smith ask him to get the child ready.