Joshlin Smith trial: Defence adamant State doesn't have solid case against accused
Defence attorneys for the accused centred their final arguments around the credibility of the State's main witness, Lourencia Lombaard.
The accused in Joshlin Smith disappearance trial, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Stevano van Rhyn on 25 March 2025. Picture: Carlo Petersen/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - State prosecutors and defence attorneys have wrapped up their closing arguments in the Joshlin Smith trial, for the presiding Judge, Nathan Erasmus, to make his ruling on Friday.
The defence is adamant the State does not have enough evidence to prove the accused are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking for the little girl's disappearance.
Defence attorneys for the accused centred their final arguments around the credibility of the State's main witness, Lourencia Lombaard.
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Lombaard implicated Appollis and van Rhyn of being complicit in Smith's plan to sell Joshlin to a sangoma for R20,000.
The former accused buckled several times under cross-examination and often refused to answer questions during her testimony.
Smith's lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain, told the court the State has a weak case against his client.
"My lord, taking everything into consideration, all the evidence produced. Even if the court finds there's some kind of corroborating, I submit that even that does not prove the case against accused number three beyond a reasonable doubt."
Judge Erasmus will now take Thursday to decide on his ruling before delivering his judgment on Friday.