Joshlin Smith's traffickers to appeal life sentences
Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking for the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin.
The Section 204 Inquiry to determine whether the state witness Lourentia Lombaard will be granted indemnity from prosecution will also be dealt with.
Their applications will be heard in the Western Cape High Court on 12 and 13 August.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Court refuses to clarify Omotoso acquittal, dealing blow to NPA appeal efforts
GQEBERHA - The NPA has suffered another setback after the Gqeberha High Court refused to clarify its ruling acquitting Timothy Omotoso on rape charges. Last week, the NPA launched its first step in its appeal against the April judgment, which found it had failed to prove Omotoso's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The controversial Nigerian televangelist was arrested in 2017, facing 30 counts of rape, sexual assault, human trafficking and racketeering, over alleged crimes committed against his congregants in his church. The NPA's efforts to resurrect its failed case against Timothy Omotoso appear to be losing momentum, with the Gqeberha High Court refusing to provide additional reasons for his acquittal. Last week, the prosecution filed its first papers to appeal an April judgment that found it had failed to prove Omotoso's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, relying heavily on what the court called unreliable witnesses. Omotoso, who is now barred from entering South Africa leaving, the country for Nigeria has maintained his innocence throughout. His lawyer, Peter Dauberman, slammed the NPA's appeal as a 'desperate attempt to save face,' accusing prosecutors of wasting judicial resources and further damaging his client's reputation. He argued the state had ample time to present a strong case and that the acquittal was fully justified by the evidence. The High Court is expected to hear further arguments next Tuesday but for now, the state's case remains on shaky ground.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
NPA dealt another blow in Omotoso case
On Monday, 14 July 2025, the court heard the first part of the appeal process in the case of Omotoso and his co-accused. Judge Irma Schoeman has dismissed the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) application by the state for clarification on the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho. The NPA returned to the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Gqeberha on Tuesday, where the ruling was made. On Monday, 14 July 2025, the court heard the first part of the appeal process in the case of Omotoso and his co-accused. ALSO READ: 'Judge erred' – NPA to appeal Timothy Omotoso's acquittal This is after the NPA sent a request for clarification of factual findings in Schoeman's initial judgment, before it can request reservation of questions of law in terms of section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977, for consideration by the Supreme Court of Appeal. This is the only limited mechanism in which the state can appeal an acquittal judgment in South African law. The judge then ordered the NPA and the defence to argue the matter before her after Omotoso's attorney notified the Registrar that the defence was opposed to the state's request. 'Judge erred in Omotoso ruling' In May, NPA Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, Barry Madolo, confirmed the state would appeal the judgment acquitting Omotoso and his co-accused. Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Solani and Zukiswa Sitho, were acquitted by the Gqeberha High Court of 32 serious charges, including allegations of rape, racketeering and human trafficking, on 2 April. ALSO READ: Omotoso's arrest sparks controversy: Lawyers challenge immigration charges NPA spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said the decision to appeal Omotoso's acquittal followed a 'thorough' consideration of the matter by an NPA internal team of experienced prosecutors and a legal opinion sourced from Senior Counsel. The NPA believed that there were reasonable prospects of a successful appeal despite the complexities of the legal process. NPA investigates its own The NPA has also launched an internal investigation into the conduct of the first team of prosecutors involved in this matter, which started in August 2024. Since the judgment, the scope of the investigation has been extended to include both prosecution teams, with a view to identifying, if necessary, disciplinary steps to be taken against persons involved. ALSO READ: Churches reject Omotoso's Buffalo City crusade plans Following the court's judgment, the NPA appointed additional officials to assist with the investigation, given its extended scope. 'While in our appeal, we maintain that the judge erred in certain of her findings, the Omotoso judgment has had a tragic impact on the victims involved and seriously dented confidence in the NPA and the justice system to address SGBV matters.' READ NEXT: Supreme Court dismisses Omoto's bid for freedom
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Nedbank exposed for ethical failures in court
A judge exposed serious ethical lapses by Nedbank and its legal team in a foreclosure case involving multiple homeowners. Do you trust your bank? Would you trust a lawyer? It is a sad indictment of the current state of our society that many South Africans would hesitate before answering those questions… or even reply in the negative. Dealings with these institutions or people fall under what the experts would call 'grudge purchases'… you don't want to spend the money, but you have no choice. Yet, seldom are consumers able to produce a smoking gun of the chicanery – especially when it involves banks and legal people working together. ALSO READ: Bad day in home foreclosure court for Nedbank and its lawyers But, as we report on our business pages today, that all changed last week when Nedbank, its property valuation experts and lawyers were given a hiding by Acting Judge Fiona Southwood of the High Court in Johannesburg. In halting Nedbank's attempts to foreclose on 12 properties, each with different owners, Southwood found numerous instances of non-compliance with court rules and ethical standards. The judge raised serious concerns about the conduct of Nedbank's attorneys, counsel and property valuation experts. She referred a number of the attorneys involved, as well as an advocate and a property valuer, to their professional bodies for investigation and possible censure. All involved need to apologise – and ensure this nefarious activity does not continue. NOW READ: Mystery debit orders leave bank client without answers
