By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Kelly Smith is pinning the disappearance of her daughter squarely on Lourentia Lombaard, the key state witness in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping and human trafficking trial.
She accuses the state’s key witness of lying to try and to save her own skin.
Lombaard was initially arrested as a suspect, together with Smith, and two others. But she’s since turned state witness, under section 204.
Lombaard has been under cross-examination for six days.
She’s been grilled for inconsistencies and contradictions in her statements to police and evidence in court.
On Thursday around 10am, attorney Rinesh Sivnarain stood up and told presiding officer Judge Nathan Erasmus that: “Accused number 3, Raquel “Kelly” Smith is not feeling well, she said she feels she is about to throw up.”
The court was adjourned for a few minutes before the judge returned to inform the court about further adjournment.
“We will resume at noon,” Erasmus said.
Kelly is on trial with co-accused and boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, their friend Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn. They are facing kidnapping and human trafficking charges, which they have all pleaded not guilty to.
Captain Wesley Lombard, took the stand at the Western Cape High Court sitting in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay.
Lombard testified that during his interview with Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, he found it clear that they lacked urgency in finding missing Joshlin.
He stated that although they were not under arrest at the time, he warned them about their rights, as he considered all of them suspects.
The detective said Boeta has children of his own but did not live with them and became concerned that the father could not specify the exact time Joshlin went missing.
When asked, he struggled to recall the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. He mentioned that after buying gas and using Tik with Kelly, she realised Joshlin was gone.
Lombard noted concerning red flags: “Boeta could not recall key details about Joshlin’s disappearance, nor could he describe his relationship with her, despite living with her.”
When Lombard asked Kelly where Joshlin was, she coldly responded: “My child is not here anymore. I must carry on with my life because I have two other children.”
He said she became upset when pressed further.
He was particularly disturbed when Kelly remarked: “Joshlin made me famous,” and seemed to enjoy the attention.
She showed no remorse and even declined to provide another statement, saying she had breakfast plans with Boeta at Spur.
Lombard expressed that he found their behaviour shocking, stating that neither Kelly nor Boeta showed a true willingness to help find Joshlin.