Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
joslin smith disappearancelatest news & developments
Kelly Smith, the mother of Joslin Smith.
CHILD TRAFFICKING CASE

State seeks life sentence for accused in Joslin Smith kidnapping

A human expert trafficking testified in aggravation of sentence on Tuesday, saying the sale of the child was premeditated and there was plenty of time to stop it

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
Joshlin Smith, of, Saldanha Bay, has been missing since 19 February 2024. Image: Sourced
BOETA APPOLLIS TRIAL

Joslin Smith: Defence accuses cop of trying to exploit accused’s weaknesses to gain confession

Sergeant Dawid Fortuin took advantage of Steveno van Rhyn’s ‘youth and vulnerability’, according to attorney Nobahle Mkabayi

  • Des Erasmus
3 min read
Lourentia Lombaard admitted she repeatedly withheld information from police about the alleged sale of the child, blaming fear, anger, drug use and a promised R1 000 payment
BRIBE

Star witness in Joslin Smith case says silence was driven by fear, drugs and hush money

Lourentia Lombaard admitted she repeatedly withheld information from police about the alleged sale of the child, blaming fear, anger, drug use and a promised R1 000 payment

  • Des Erasmus
4 min read
Lourentia Lombaard burst into tears while being questioned by the judge.
BOETA APPOLLIS

Joslin Smith: State witness again falls ill during cross-examination drama

Judge Nathan Erasmus said this was not the first time Lorentia Lombaard became unwell ‘when it came to crunch time’

  • Des Erasmus
8 min read
Kelly smith, the mother of Joslin Smith.
CHILD KIDNAPPING TRIAL

Court hears that Kelly Smith orchestrated Joslin’s sale to sangoma, others probably involved ‘by chance’

Judge Nathan Erasmus provided a synopsis of events on Monday, given the often confusing testimony of the state’s star witness

  • Des Erasmus
6 min read