The Western Cape High Court has heard shocking testimony regarding the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. Former accused Lourentia Lombaard testified that Joshlin’s mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, finalized the sale of her daughter for R20,000 on February 18, 2024, just a day before the child went missing.
Lombaard, testifying at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, detailed how she witnessed Kelly interacting with a woman in a white VW Polo. She claimed the woman handed Kelly something, which she then hid in her pants before walking away with Joshlin.
Later that day, Lombaard said she saw Kelly showing her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, a sum of R20,000. When she confronted Kelly about the money, she allegedly admitted: “I sold my child to a sangoma.”
Lombaard further testified that Kelly attempted to bribe those who knew about the plan.
“She said she was going to give me R1,000, Steveno R1,200, and the rest would be split between herself and Boeta,” Lombaard said.
On February 19, Kelly allegedly packed Joshlin’s clothes into a cooler bag before taking her to the same white VW Polo. Lombaard, hiding behind a rock, saw Kelly and Joshlin get into the car before it drove away.
Hours later, Kelly allegedly told her friends not to report Joshlin missing, saying she would handle it herself. She returned home at 4 p.m., and the group spent the evening using drugs.
That night, Kelly visited Lombaard’s house with police officers, pretending to be searching for Joshlin.
“I asked her why she was asking me when she knew exactly what she had done with her child. I told her to tell the police,” Lombaard recalled.
@iolnews Lourentia Lombaard shared in the Western Cape High Court the chilling details of the sale of missing Joshlin Smith. @manditshwete #JoshlinSmithTrial #JoshlinSmith #saldanhabay #iolnews
The testimony has left the Saldanha Bay community in shock. Joshlin’s paternal grandmother, Louretta Yon, stated that despite the grim details, she still believes Joshlin may be found alive.
Joshlin’s father, José Emke, who has attended every court session, collapsed in court while listening to the testimony.
Judge Nathan Erasmus postponed the case to Monday, with the accused—Kelly, Boeta, and Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn—remaining in custody. The trial is expected to continue with additional witnesses, including one from outside the province.
The case has raised concerns about human trafficking in South Africa, with the Good Party’s Secretary-General, Brett Herron, stating: “The extent to which human trafficking has affected a small community is devastating. Our policing services must pay far more attention to this crime.”
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Sourced:IOL