Kandis Starr Criticizes State Witness in Joslin Smith Trial
Paranormal justice medium, Kandis Starr, has publicly called into question the testimony of state witness, Laurentia “Renz” Lombaard, in the ongoing Joslin Smith trial.
Starr, a psychic who has been following the case since Joslin’s disappearance in February 2024, firmly believes that Lombaard is “lying” to cover up the truth of what really happened to the young girl.
The trial involves Kelly Smith, Joslin’s mother, her boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn, who are all facing charges related to child trafficking.
The case is currently being heard in the High Court at the Saldanha Bay Centre.
Kandis Starr Accuses Lombaard of Lying
In a video posted on her YouTube channel, Kandis Starr wasted no time in criticizing Lombaard’s testimony.
She described the state witness’s statements as “lies and BS” and questioned her credibility.
Starr pointed to Lombaard’s nervous body language, including shifty eyes and frequent breaks in eye contact, as potential signs of dishonesty.
Kandis also took aim at Lombaard’s appearance, suggesting that her sudden transformation from poverty to a polished, well-groomed look was suspicious. “How do you go from complete poverty to hair done, makeup done, new outfits? That’s not an easy thing to acquire,” she remarked in the video.
Starr even speculated about possible connections to political figures, naming Gayton McKenzie and hinting at illegal sources of wealth.
She said, “Has anyone ever looked at Gayton McKenzie and where his money comes from? Because here in the US, it’s all illegal stuff, allegedly.”
Kandis Rejects Lombaard’s Version of Events
Continuing her criticism, Kandis Starr dismissed Lombaard’s testimony that Kelly Smith sold her daughter to a sangoma.
She voiced doubts about both Lombaard’s and Smith’s involvement in the alleged transaction.
“I don’t believe she was there, and I don’t believe Kelly was there,” Kandis said.
She went on to suggest that Kelly Smith was likely under the influence of drugs at the time, which might explain her unclear recollections.
Starr also reiterated her belief, which she had expressed in previous psychic readings, that Joslin’s death was likely caused by men who were close to her. “This is a story.
They don’t want to be charged with murder,” Kandis stated, implying that the true details of Joslin’s death are being covered up.
Questions About State Witness Payments
In the aftermath of Kandis’s video, many South Africans raised concerns in the comments section about whether state witnesses like Lombaard are being paid for their testimony.
Under the Criminal Procedure Act, a Section 204 witness can receive immunity from criminal charges if their testimony helps convict the accused.
For Lombaard, the National Prosecuting Authority offered witness protection in exchange for her cooperation.
The Department of Justice clarified that witnesses can receive a prescribed fee to cover expenses related to their court appearances.
However, this payment is not considered compensation for the testimony itself, but rather to offset any financial losses incurred due to attending court.
Is the State Witness Telling the Truth?
As the trial continues to unfold, the question remains: Can Laurentia Lombaard’s testimony be trusted? While Kandis Starr has voiced her skepticism, many others are waiting for further developments in the case to see whether Lombaard’s statements hold up under scrutiny.
The truth behind Joslin Smith’s disappearance remains elusive, and the trial is far from over.