missing childlatest news & developments
Lourentia “Rens” Lombaard, the accused-turned-state-witness.

Star witness continues to unravel on the stand in Joslin Smith trial

Lourentia Lombaard irks the judge with her ‘assumptions’, while Kelly Smith is again portrayed as a callous mother

  • Des Erasmus
6 min read
Lourentia Lombaard admitted she repeatedly withheld information from police about the alleged sale of the child, blaming fear, anger, drug use and a promised R1 000 payment

Star witness in Joslin Smith case says silence was driven by fear, drugs and hush money

Lourentia Lombaard admitted she repeatedly withheld information from police about the alleged sale of the child, blaming fear, anger, drug use and a promised R1 000 payment

  • Des Erasmus
4 min read
Kelly Smith, the mother of Joslin Smith.

Joslin Smith was wanted by sangoma for her ‘eyes and skin’

State witness Lourentia Lombaard continued her testimony on Monday, sharing chilling details in the kidnapping and human trafficking trial

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read
In court: Missing Joslin Smith’s mother Kelly Smith at the trial

Kelly Smith’s shifting stories fuel speculation in child trafficking case

The Joslin Smith trial reveals a tangled narrative of addiction, abuse and contradictions, as questions arise about her role in the child’s disappearance

  • Des Erasmus
7 min read
Kelly Smith, mother of missing girl Joslin Smith, takes notes during the trial on Tuesday.

Kelly Smith threatened to stab her son in 2016, social worker tells court

Siliziwe Mbambo also said that according to the case file, the mother of Joshlin Smith threatened to assault her own grandmother

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read
Kelly Smith takes notes during the kidnapping and human trafficking trial on Thursday.

Kelly Smith brought to tears during former employer’s testimony

The mother of Joslin wept as her former employer, Carlyn Zeegers, described her as a ‘good mother’ in the kidnapping and human trafficking trial

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read