Joshlin Smith trial: State witness questioned about her drug use

Lourentia (Rens) Lombaard, a friend of Joshlin Smith’s mother, Kelly, finished her evidence-in-chief for the state on Monday morning. She alleged that Kelly told her whoever took Joshlin was looking for her eyes and skin.

The then six-year-old Joshlin disappeared from her family’s home in Middelpos on 19 February 2024.

Lombaard’s seventh day of testimony continued at the Western Cape Circuit High Court in Saldanha.

Joshlin Smith trial: Court hears contradictory testimony

Fanie Harmse, the lawyer representing co-accused Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, questioned Lombaard about the day that Joshlin disappeared.

The court heard that Joshlin’s brother, Requin, informed the police that Lombaard had only arrived at their house after Kelly had left for work. This contradicted Lombaard’s earlier testimony to the court.

She previously claimed she arrived at the “hokkie” (house) before Smith left, and hours before Joshlin’s disappearance.

The court was told that Requin may be called to testify later in the case.

According to Lombaard, Joshlin was in the care of Kelly’s boyfriend, Appollis, when she vanished. During her cross-examination, she revealed how Joshlin’s disappearance was allegedly orchestrated by Kelly.

When Harmse asked Appollis about walking to the white VW Polo that drove off with Joshlin. Judge Nathan Erasmus interrupted, stating that these questions had already been answered on Thursday.

“Your client was not with Smith when she went to the car. I am not going to allow you to waste time by going back to it,” the judge said.

Lombaard’s upbringing and family background

Nobahle Mkabayi, the lawyer for another co-accused Steveno van Rhyn, started her cross-examination on Lombaard’s upbringing. She confirmed that her highest level of education was Grade 7.

Lombaard told the court that she grew up on a farm and wanted to become a model.

She then testified that she had four children. She first fell pregnant when she was 16 years old. Her two older children stay with their grandmother, while the younger two were previously living with her. She said that the last two were fathered by her boyfriend, Ayanda Letoni.

Letoni has since taken his children and they are living with him. She described herself as a good mother, who cares about her children.

Asked if she would ever do anything to harm her children, she said “no”. A further question as to whether she would ever allow another person to harm her children, she also answered “no”. She smiled when she answered that she would do anything to protect her children.

Lombaard denies harming her children

The defence went on to state that Lombaard testified about taking drugs in 2024. She answered that she took Tik and buttons (Mandrax), but she was no longer using drugs.

“When you smoke Tik, you are high. When I smoked buttons, I would be even more high and in slow-motion,” she explained to the court.

After a question from Erasmus, she answered that Tik is smoked, but Mandrax is used in different ways. Judge Erasmus stated that when he grew up, Mandrax was smoked on a “dagga-pipe”. The witness confirmed.

The judge also said that he knows Mandrax is used in different ways. Lombaard responded that she used very little “dagga-pipes”. She said she smoked the drug in a “bottle head” and used to smoke an “entjie-pyp” (cigarette pipe)”.

She burst out laughing at the judge’s knowledge, to which he responded, “Did you think I would not know that?”

Mkabayi asked how long it stays in a person’s system, to which she answered two weeks.

The trial continues.

NOW READ: Joshlin: Lourentia Lombaard faces tough cross-examination