Joslin Smith: Fourth accused expected back in court on Monday

The fourth accused, Lourentia Lombaard, 32, is expected back in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

THE FOURTH ACCUSED IN THE DISAPPEARANCE OF JOSLIN IS EXPECTED IN COURT

Lombaard was arrested last week and is set to join three other accused, including Joshlin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, in the matter.

“Lombaard appeared at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court (last week Monday) morning.

“(She) is charged with trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping … in connection with the disappearance of Joshlin Smith. Her case has been postponed until 25 March for bail information.”National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said.

SHE IS ALSO CHARGED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND KIDNAPPING 

The State has indicated it would oppose bail against all the accused.

There’s still no sign of the missing six-year-old Joslin Smith. 

Joslin, from Diazville in Saldanha Bay, went missing on 19 February while in the care of her mother’s boyfriend.

HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW THUS FAR ON THE MISSING CASE OF JOSLIN 

The search for Joslin, which is still ongoing, brought individuals, NGOs, community activists, police officials, neighbourhood watches and representatives from different spheres of government together in the quest to find the missing girl.

Police said they are now focused on pursuing more specific leads stemming from the recent arrests.

Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie also added the forensic results on the bloodied clothes found are still not in. 

HERE IS EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE CASE SO FAR: 

Here are the latest developments in the search:

• Six-year-old Joslin was last seen on Monday, 19 February. 
• Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton Mckenzie said the reward will be increased to R1 million on Monday. 
• Joslin’s school, Diazville Primary School, has urged parents to keep a close eye on their ‘precious possessions’ these school holidays.
• Last week, a 32-year-old woman was also formally charged with kidnapping and human trafficking. She is expected back for her formal bail application on 25 March. 
• Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquine [Boeta] Appolis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Phumza Sigaqo are charged with human trafficking and kidnapping.
• The trio is expected back in court on 13 May. 
• There was no sign of any alleged assault on Kelly when she appeared in court. 
• The State has withdrawn charges against the accused number four, Phumza Sigaqa. 
• Bloodied clothing was found and has been sent for forensic testing. Police said the forensic lab results are not in yet. 
• The City of Cape Town has dispatched policing resources in the past month. These include investigators, K9 unit search dogs, Marine Unit members and watercraft, and experienced search and rescue volunteers. Drones will support these teams’ search efforts.
• The Western Cape’s social development department in Saldanha Bay has intervened to keep Joslin’s siblings safe. 
• Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the search for the six-year-old Joslin had been scaled down as the focus is now on following up on leads. 
• Joslin’s mother, Kelly, was asked about allegations of drug abuse inside the family home. Kelly admitted that she and her boyfriend smoked tik but said she had been “clean for a week since the disappearance of Joslin.”