The spotlight is now on Laurentia Lombaard, the crucial state witness in the Joslin Smith trafficking case, as she awaits a decision that could either grant her immunity or send her behind bars.
This important moment is set to take place during a special hearing at the Western Cape High Court.
From Accused to Key Witness
Laurentia’s journey is a complex one. Once an accused in the case herself, she turned state witness, offering testimony that shook the courtroom.
Under oath, Laurentia claimed that Kelly Smith, the mother of the missing girl at the heart of the case, sold her daughter to a traditional healer—a sangoma—for R20,000.
This explosive statement has played a critical role in the trial’s outcome.
Life Sentences for Smith and Accomplices
Last week, the court handed down life sentences to Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn.
All three were found guilty of trafficking and kidnapping in a case that gripped the nation.
The convicted trio now has 14 days to apply for permission to appeal their sentences, which adds another layer of tension to the ongoing legal drama.
What’s Next for Laurentia Lombaard?
NPA prosecutor Zelda Swanepoel shared with the SABC that Judge Nathan Erasmus of the Western Cape High Court will soon review all the evidence and legal arguments from both the prosecution and the defense regarding Laurentia’s fate.
The judge will then decide her sentence in a separate hearing, meaning her future remains uncertain for now.
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