CAPE TOWN, South Africa – A witness has told a South African court that Kelly Smith, the mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, admitted knowing what happened to her daughter and claimed someone paid her to stay silent, as the trial continued on 17 March 2025.
Laurentia Lombaard gave evidence on the third day of the hearing at the Western Cape High Court in Saldanha. Technical issues delayed proceedings briefly, but they resumed by 09:00 local time
Joshlin Smith vanished from her home in Middelpos on 19 February 2024. Her mother, Kelly Smith, along with Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. All three deny the allegations.
Lombaard said she met Smith near her home days after Joshlin disappeared. She told the court at 10:30 local time that Smith warned her to keep quiet, saying, “Renz, I know what I did to Joshlin.”
Smith allegedly added that someone paid her to stay silent, though she did not say who. Lombaard also claimed Smith mentioned a person searching for Joshlin “for her eyes and skin”.
The witness recalled asking about a promised 1,000 rand payment, which Smith said never came. Smith, with Appollis and two others, spoke of looking for her son’s belongings, not Joshlin, Lombaard added.
On the day Joshlin went missing, Lombaard said police visited her home, sparking a row between her boyfriend and Appollis. She has not seen Smith since that week.
Lombaard admitted she initially told police less, fearing reprisals. “I’m not withholding anything now,” she said, as testimony continued into late morning.
Joshlin, described as having green eyes, has not been found despite extensive searches. The case has gripped South Africa for over a year.
Kelly Smith and her co-accused remain in custody. The trial, drawing significant public attention, is ongoing.
