Latest news with #R20
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Joslin Smith court case: What happened to state witness?
Western Cape High Court Judge Nathan Erasmus has imposed a life sentence on convicted traffickers of Joslin Smith, including her mother, Kelly Smith. But what about the state witness, Lourentia Lombaard? The woman – a former accused who turned State 204 witness – has stated under oath that Kelly allegedly sold her daughter to a sangoma for R20 000. Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis, and pal Steveno van Rhyn received concurrent sentences for trafficking and kidnapping. During his sentencing hearing, Western Cape High Court Judge Erasmus revealed that the trafficking trial's fourth former accused, turned state witness, Lourentia Lombaard, would hear her fate in another court date. Lombaard – a State 204 witness – previously stated under oath that Joslin's mother, Kelly Smith, allegedly sold her to a sangoma for R20 000. Charges were withdrawn against Lombaard, who has been granted provisional indemnity from criminal prosecution. However, her credibility was questioned when she admitted to lying to police in a recorded statement after Joslin Smith's disappearance. Her version of events from her March 2024 statement differs from her confession to police in October, when she agreed to turn state witness. According to the Criminal Procedure Act, a Section 204 witness can receive indemnity from criminal charges, provided that their testimony and evidence help incriminate the accused. In the case of Joslin Smith, the National Prosecuting Authority offered Lourentia Lombaard witness protection in exchange for her testimony against Kelly Smith, Boeta Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn. However, if the court finds that the witness has not testified truthfully, they may face prosecution for perjury and related charges. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Joshlin Smith case: WMACA urges more arrests
AVON Earn extra money. each month. Whatsapp your name. 082 680 6242 and I will. show you how Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) has welcomed the life sentences handed down to Kelly Smith and her co-accused in the harrowing case of six-year-old Joshlin Smith's disappearance. The case has become a chilling symbol of the ongoing crisis of child trafficking in South Africa. Joshlin Smith vanished and was reportedly sold for R20 000. The court found that Smith, along with two co-accused, conspired in the sale of the child. ALSO READ: You have a legal obligation to report child abuse – State Advocate While WMACA expresses satisfaction with the outcome of the trial, they firmly believe that more individuals were involved who have yet to face justice. 'There was a middleman, and there was a client. Someone wanted something from this child, and we still don't know who they are,' WMACA said. 'There are people who were nearby, who saw or heard things. Too many loose ends remain.' WMACA is calling on those convicted to come forward with the full truth now. With nothing left to lose, they urge the guilty to reveal the identities of any additional accomplices. One of the most disturbing aspects of the case, according to WMACA, is the involvement of Joshlin's mother. 'How does a mother even begin a conversation about selling her child? And how does that conversation lead to a buyer, whether for the entire child or body parts? It's diabolical.' ALSO READ: Bertha Gxowa creates awareness on child abuse Despite the absence of Joshlin's body, WMACA holds the convicted trio fully responsible for her disappearance, whether she is ultimately found alive or dead. 'Nothing less than a life sentence would have been acceptable,' the organisation stated. WMACA acknowledges and praises Judge Erasmus for delivering a sentence that sends a strong message. The organisation mourns that it took such a tragic and horrific case to bring attention to the horrors of child trafficking. 'Justice was served in court, but for Joshlin and countless other children who disappear without a trace, we may never know the full truth. We only wish that a little girl had not met such a gruesome fate for the world to take notice.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Joshlin Smith case: WMACA calls for additional arrests
Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) has welcomed the life sentences handed down to Kelly Smith and her co-accused in the harrowing case of six-year-old Joshlin Smith's disappearance. The case has become a chilling symbol of the ongoing crisis of child trafficking in South Africa. Joshlin Smith vanished and was reportedly sold for R20 000. The court found that Smith, along with two co-accused, conspired in the sale of the child. ALSO READ: You have a legal obligation to report child abuse – State Advocate While WMACA expresses satisfaction with the outcome of the trial, they firmly believe that more individuals were involved who have yet to face justice. 'There was a middleman, and there was a client. Someone wanted something from this child, and we still don't know who they are,' WMACA said. 'There are people who were nearby, who saw or heard things. Too many loose ends remain.' WMACA is calling on those convicted to come forward with the full truth now. With nothing left to lose, they urge the guilty to reveal the identities of any additional accomplices. One of the most disturbing aspects of the case, according to WMACA, is the involvement of Joshlin's mother. 'How does a mother even begin a conversation about selling her child? And how does that conversation lead to a buyer, whether for the entire child or body parts? It's diabolical.' ALSO READ: Bertha Gxowa creates awareness on child abuse Despite the absence of Joshlin's body, WMACA holds the convicted trio fully responsible for her disappearance, whether she is ultimately found alive or dead. 'Nothing less than a life sentence would have been acceptable,' the organisation stated. WMACA acknowledges and praises Judge Erasmus for delivering a sentence that sends a strong message. The organisation mourns that it took such a tragic and horrific case to bring attention to the horrors of child trafficking. 'Justice was served in court, but for Joshlin and countless other children who disappear without a trace, we may never know the full truth. We only wish that a little girl had not met such a gruesome fate for the world to take notice.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
WMACA calls for more arrests in Joshlin Smith case
Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) has welcomed the life sentences handed down to Kelly Smith and her co-accused in the harrowing case of six-year-old Joshlin Smith's disappearance. The case has become a chilling symbol of the ongoing crisis of child trafficking in South Africa. Joshlin Smith vanished and was reportedly sold for R20 000. The court found that Smith, along with two co-accused, conspired in the sale of the child. ALSO READ: You have a legal obligation to report child abuse – State Advocate While WMACA expresses satisfaction with the outcome of the trial, they firmly believe that more individuals were involved who have yet to face justice. 'There was a middleman, and there was a client. Someone wanted something from this child, and we still don't know who they are,' WMACA said. 'There are people who were nearby, who saw or heard things. Too many loose ends remain.' WMACA is calling on those convicted to come forward with the full truth now. With nothing left to lose, they urge the guilty to reveal the identities of any additional accomplices. One of the most disturbing aspects of the case, according to WMACA, is the involvement of Joshlin's mother. 'How does a mother even begin a conversation about selling her child? And how does that conversation lead to a buyer, whether for the entire child or body parts? It's diabolical.' ALSO READ: Bertha Gxowa creates awareness on child abuse Despite the absence of Joshlin's body, WMACA holds the convicted trio fully responsible for her disappearance, whether she is ultimately found alive or dead. 'Nothing less than a life sentence would have been acceptable,' the organisation stated. WMACA acknowledges and praises Judge Erasmus for delivering a sentence that sends a strong message. The organisation mourns that it took such a tragic and horrific case to bring attention to the horrors of child trafficking. 'Justice was served in court, but for Joshlin and countless other children who disappear without a trace, we may never know the full truth. We only wish that a little girl had not met such a gruesome fate for the world to take notice.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results: Friday, 30 May 2025
R20 million in jackpots are up for grabs! Here are your PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results for 30 May 2025. Get the PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results as soon as they are drawn on The Citizen, so you can rest easy and check your tickets with confidence. Estimated jackpots for Friday, 30 May 2025: PowerBall jackpot: R9 million guaranteed. PowerBall Plus jackpot: R11 million estimated. PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results for Friday, 30 May 2025: PowerBall: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00. Powerball: 00. PowerBall Plus: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00. Powerball: 00. The winning PowerBall numbers will appear after the draw. Usually within 10 minutes of the draw. You might need to refresh the page to see the updated results. While great care has been taken to ensure accuracy, The Citizen cannot take responsibility for any error in the PowerBall or PowerBall Plus results. We suggest verifying the numbers on the National Lottery website. How much does it cost to play PowerBall? Lottery outlets close at 8.30pm on the day of a draw, which happens at 9pm. The terms and conditions may differ from other service outlets. Visit for more information. You can find the historical winning numbers for PowerBall and Lotto draws here. How much does it cost to play PowerBall? PowerBall entries cost R5 per board including VAT. PowerBall Plus costs an additional R2.50 per board. You can also play PowerBall on selected banking apps (T's & C's apply). Visit and go to the How to Play section to find out more.
