Joshlin Smith: Former accused-turned-state witness Lourencia Lombaard returned to the dock
The court has heard arguments as to why she should be granted indemnity.
The missing girl was six years old when she disappeared in Saldanha Bay in February last year, and in May, her mother, Kelly Smith, her mother's boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis and his friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were handed life sentences for human trafficking.
Lourencia Lombaard may only hear on Wednesday whether she'll be granted indemnity from prosecution.
During the argument in her favour, the court heard she had testified, frankly and honestly, as a State witness.
ALSO READ: Joshlin Smith: NPA says Lourencia Lombaard should be indemnified from prosecution
Huge personal sacrifices were also highlighted, as she and her children were uprooted from their lives and community to be placed under witness protection.
Lombaard's testimony proved pivotal in the conviction and sentencing of Kelly, Appollis and van Rhyn.
She told the court she witnessed Smith sell her daughter to a sangoma for R20,000 in February 2024.
The court is also hearing applications for leave to appeal the convictions and sentences handed down in May, but the convicted traffickers are not present in court.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
24 minutes ago
- IOL News
Gauteng police close probe into missing mayoral chain worth R465 000
Gauteng police have closed their investigation into the missing R465,000 mayoral chain of Sedibeng District Municipality mayor Lerato Maloka, raising serious concerns about accountability and transparency in local government.' Image: Supplied Gauteng police have shut down their investigation into the disappearance of Sedibeng's R465,000 mayoral chain, with no arrests made and the symbolic piece of regalia still missing more than two years later. This follows the mysterious disappearance of the R465 000 mayoral chain after the State of the District Address on June 23, 2023. Mayor Lerato Maloka had allegedly placed it on a shelf in her office, but it was never seen again. A case of theft was only officially opened in November 2023, nearly five months after the chain disappeared. The lengthy delay in reporting the matter has fuelled speculation about possible cover-ups and raised questions about why immediate steps were not taken to recover the costly ceremonial item. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Gauteng police have since closed their investigation into the missing ceremonial mayoral chain, with no arrests made and the valuable symbol of office still unaccounted for. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that no arrests had been made and directed inquiries to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). 'A theft case was opened and investigations were conducted, and the docket was brought before the Deputy Public Prosecutor, who declined to prosecute; hence, the matter was closed on 25 July 2025. 'For more information on reasons not to prosecute, kindly contact the NPA. No one was arrested in this matter. Like any other case, should there be new information/evidence, the case can be reopened to investigate the new info.' DA MPL Kingsol Chabalala described the case closure as disturbing, criticising SAPS for failing to provide a clear reason. 'It is disturbing to learn that the SAPS has closed a case relating to the missing mayoral chain in Sedibeng District Municipality without citing the reason. This is a serious matter that leaves suspicions as the case has been suddenly closed without any arrests or recoveries of the mayoral chain. Chabalala has submitted a letter to MEC for COGTA Jacob Mamabolo and Premier Panyaza Lesufi, demanding an explanation for why the investigation was closed without any resolution. He also called on Premier Lesufi's office to initiate an urgent, independent investigation into the disappearance of the mayoral chain, aiming to uncover the circumstances surrounding its loss and why the theft was not immediately reported to the police. Additionally, he requested clarity on why the police closed the case, including access to any documentation or findings that informed their decision. 'The disappearance of a ceremonial asset valued at nearly half a million rand, coupled with the lack of transparency and accountability, undermines public trust in the municipality's leadership. Your intervention is critical to restoring confidence and ensuring that those responsible for any negligence or misconduct are held accountable. I trust that your office will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it demands. Please keep me informed of any actions taken or progress made in addressing this issue.' The letter reads. Chabalala further said that political interference may have played a role in the case's closure. He added that if Premier Lesufi is serious about tackling corruption, he must intervene to ensure justice for the mayoral chain, a valuable symbol belonging to the residents of Sedibeng. He also confirmed that questions will be tabled in Parliament to demand answers. The case has sparked public outrage, with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) holding protests in June 2024 to demand an investigation into the missing mayoral chain. Previously, as reported by IOL, five mayoral chains have been lost across South Africa, including the recently missing Sedibeng mayoral chain. In KwaZulu-Natal, Msunduzi Municipality saw seven out of 34 gold links vanish from its mayoral chain, once valued at R800 000. Kimberley, diamonds donated by Harry Oppenheimer, mysteriously disappeared from the city's chain, later replaced with fakes. Molemole Municipality in Limpopo lost a R100 000 chain in 2011, allegedly at the hands of the mayor's brother, while neighbouring Mogalakwena only realised its chain was gone during a mayoral inauguration in 2011.
eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
Suspended IDT CEO denies knowledge of bribe
JOHANNESBURG - Suspended Independent Development Trust CEO Tebogo Malaka has denied knowledge of the R60,000 bribe allegedly offered to Daily Maverick journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh. This follows a criminal case opened by Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson and the new IDT board. Malaka is accused of attempting to bribe Myburgh in video footage she says was edited to her detriment. The Daily Maverick has been investigating an IDT contract and its links to one of Malaka's upmarket properties. Malaka was suspended after a forensic investigation into an oxygen plant tender worth over R800-million. A PwC report revealed serious mismanagement and corruption at the entity. The Malaka Family Trust has previously denied the allegations, calling it a "manufactured scandal". Malaka said IDT communications specialist Phasha Makgolane was the person who had an existing relationship with the journalist. She denied any knowledge of the bribe, saying she attended the meeting in order to confront Myburgh about "negative articles" he had written about her.
The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
Former North West traffic cop who killed girlfriend rearrested for retrial
William Mosiane, the North West traffic officer previously sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his girlfriend, Dimpho Motlodi, has been rearrested ahead of a retrial. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya confirmed that Mosiane was taken into custody on Saturday and is expected to appear in court on Monday on murder charges. Last week, TimesLIVE's sister publication, Sowetan reported that Motlodi's family was shocked to encounter Mosiane, whom they believed was serving a life sentence in a correctional facility. In March 2021, Mosiane shot Motlodi five times in front of their then nine-year-old son. After the attack, he allegedly took their son and left Motlodi at the scene before surrendering to the police. Mosiane was later released on bail. During the November 2023 trial, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, Mosiane successfully appealed against the conviction, arguing that the magistrate, Paul Moeng, erred by failing to ensure the presence of assessors during the trial. SowetanLIVE
