The credibility of state witness Laurentia “Renz” Lombaard’s testimony has been criticised by the defense attorneys in the trial of the missing Saldanha Bay girl, Joslin Smith.
The woman – a former accused who is now a State 204 witness – has been painted as an “unreliabledrug addict.”
Lombaard has stated under oath that Joslin’s mother, Kelly Smith, sold her to a sangoma for R20 000.
Kelly, her boyfriend, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, and pal Steveno van Rhyn are all on trial over charges of child trafficking.
The trial is taking place under the High Court, sitting at the Saldanha Bay Centre.
STATE WITNESS ACCUSED OF LYING?
On Tuesday, 18 March, state witness Laurentia Lombaard was cross-examined by the defense attorneys of the three accused.
After her initial arrest last year, Lombaard later turned state witness after making a “confession” to police. Charges against her were provisionally withdrawn.
During her cross-examination, Lombaard admitted to using the drug Tik (crystal meth) two or three times a day.
She also claimed that she had decided to turn state witness as she wanted to “speak the truth as I could no longer hide things.”
Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC
Lombaard also conceded that her partner, Ayanda Letoni, had sold drugs from their shack. However, she had asked him to stop.
“I asked Ayanda to quit because he was a drinker. Most of the money he made from selling drugs he drank out. If he gets money from the carwash, he also used it to buy wine”, she said.
Lombaard’s claims were labelled “strange” by the defense.
Lombaard previously claimed in her testimony that Kelly Smith had offered her R1000 in “hush money” after she discovered that Joslin would be sold to a sangoma. She added that she had not received the money, even after confronting Kelly about it.
‘BRING JOSLIN BACK’
A day before her cross-examination, Laurentia Lombaard told the court during her testimony that she felt “hurt” about what happened to Joslin.
She said: “I have four children and didn’t know about Boeta [Jacquen Appollis] and Kelly’s plan. Only after eavesdropping did I later overhear their plan to sell the child. I tried to stop Kelly, but she wouldn’t listen.”
She continued: “Whoever has the child, please bring her back… I feel sad and hurt that I was involved in this case. But my lord, what I said here in court is all my truth”.
WILL SHE GET INDEMNITY?
According to the Criminal Procedure Act, a Section 204 witness can receive indemnity from criminal charges, provided that their testimony and evidence help incriminate the accused.
In the case of Joslin Smith, the National Prosecuting Authority offered Lourentia Lombaard witness protection in exchange for her testimony against Kelly Smith, Boeta Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn.
However, if the court finds that the witness has not testified truthfully, they may face prosecution for perjury and related charges.
DO YOU THINK THE STATE WITNESS IS TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT JOSLIN SMITH?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to060 011 021 1.
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