Former accused turned state witness Lourentia Lombaard faced intense questioning on Tuesday in the ongoing trial related to the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, specifically regarding her decision not to participate in the search for the missing girl.
During cross-examination by defence attorneys representing the accused, Lombaard was challenged about her earlier testimony implicating Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, and co-accused Stevano van Rhyn in the girl’s disappearance.
Defence attorney Nobahle Mkabayi stated that her client, Stevano van Rhyn, observed Lombaard taking Joshlin from her home and claimed that she never returned the child.
Van Rhyn had previously alleged to police that he suspected Lombaard and her boyfriend, Ayanda Letoni, of selling Joshlin to a sangoma for muthi purposes. Lombaard, however, has denied these allegations.
When asked why she did not join the community search effort for Joshlin, Lombaard explained that she had her two young children with her at the time. However, Judge Nathan Erasmus found her explanation peculiar, highlighting that according to her own testimony, she would have already known the search was futile.
Ultimately, Lombaard admitted to Judge Erasmus that the real reason for her absence from the search was because Kelly Smith had not paid her the promised sum to remain silent.
