Joslin Smith: Fourth accused briefly appeared in court

The fourth accused, Lourentia ‘Renz’ Lombaard, 32, briefly appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

THE FOURTH ACCUSED APPEARED IN COURT ON MONDAY

Lombaard was arrested last week and is set to join three other accused, including Joslin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, in the matter.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Lombaard briefly appeared at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court.

LOMBAARD ABANDONED HER RIGHT TO APPLY FOR BAIL

“She has abandoned her right to apply for bail for now. The NPA will oppose bail if she does apply for it.”

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said.

SHE IS ALSO CHARGED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND KIDNAPPING

Ntabazalila said the case has been postponed until 13 May 2024 for further investigation and for her to join her co-accused.

Meanwhile, Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie said Lombaard has given a full confession to the police with what truly transpired with missing Joslin.

“I have been reliably informed that the investigation is at a make a break stage, according to investigators. I truly don’t know what it means in this context.

“We will have a live to give feedback on our thoughts and what we know for sure and what have gathered.”

Gayton said.

There’s still no sign of the missing six-year-old Joslin Smith.

Joslin, from Diazville in Saldanha Bay, went missing on 19 February while in the care of her mother’s boyfriend.

HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW THUS FAR ON THE MISSING CASE OF JOSLIN

The search for Joslin, which is still ongoing, brought individuals, NGOs, community activists, police officials, neighbourhood watches and representatives from different spheres of government together in the quest to find the missing girl.

Police said they are now focused on pursuing more specific leads stemming from the recent arrests.

Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie also added the forensic results on the bloodied clothes found are still not in. 

HERE IS EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE CASE SO FAR: 

Here are the latest developments in the search:

• Six-year-old Joslin was last seen on Monday, 19 February. 
• Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton Mckenzie said the reward will be increased to R1 million on Monday. 
• Joslin’s school, Diazville Primary School, has urged parents to keep a close eye on their “precious possessions” these school holidays.
• Last week, a 32-year-old woman was also formally charged with kidnapping and human trafficking. She is expected back for her formal bail application on 25 March. 
• Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquine (Boeta) Appolis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Phumza Sigaqo are charged with human trafficking and kidnapping.
• The trio is expected back in court on 13 May. 
• There was no sign of any alleged assault on Kelly when she appeared in court. 
• The state has withdrawn charges against the accused number four, Phumza Sigaqa. 
• Bloodied clothing was found and has been sent for forensic testing. Police said the forensic lab results are not in yet. 
• The City of Cape Town has dispatched policing resources in the past month. These include investigators, K9 unit search dogs, Marine Unit members and watercraft, and experienced search and rescue volunteers. Drones will support these teams’ search efforts.
• The Western Cape’s social development department in Saldanha Bay has intervened to keep Joslin’s siblings safe. 
• Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the search for the six-year-old Joslin had been scaled down as the focus is now on following up on leads. 
• Joslin’s mother, Kelly, was asked about allegations of drug abuse inside the family home. Kelly admitted that she and her boyfriend smoked tik but said she had been “clean for a week since the disappearance of Joslin.”