The Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial took a dramatic turn when defense lawyer Nobahle Mkabayi questioned state witness Lourentia Lombaard about her state of being a mother.
This came after Lombaard admitted she was "in it for the money”.
Steveno van Rhyn’s legal representative Mkabayi asked Lombaard if this was about money or about implicating her client, Van Rhyn, after he told the police about the involvement of her boyfriend Ayanda Litoni.
On Tuesday afternoon Mkabayi cross-examined the state witness at the Western Cape High Court sitting in Diazville, Saldanha Bay.
Van Rhyn and co-accused Joshlin’s mother Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith and her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis are facing kidnapping and human trafficking charges.
Lombaard testified that Kelly sold her daughter to a sangoma for R20,000, Lombaard was offered R1,000 and Van Rhyn was promised R1,200.
Mkabayi told Lombaard, a former accused in the matter, that her client was never offered any money nor was he present during the discussion about the plan to take Joshlin away from her Middelpos home on 19 February 2024.
She asked the witness: “Why did you ask Boeta if Kelly left money?
Lombard testified this was because Kelly said she would give her R1,000 as promised.
“If it wasn’t about money, then why did you go to Kelly’s place that morning and ask about the money again. If you were not interested in the money then why did you go there?”
The witness repeated that Kelly had promised her money.
Judge Nathan Erasmus asked Lombaard if she understood the concerns raised by Mkabayi.
“Ms Mkabayi asked about your upbringing and your children. This morning she asked about God and the oath.
“Here you say you overheard and witnessed something on 18 February. Joshlin had not yet left Middelpos, you knew the plan, according to you, she (Kelly) would sell Joshlin to a sangoma and you tell us you were not concerned about the money but on Monday morning you asked the plan, how it would work and if she left money for you.”
“Do you still describe yourself as a good, loving mother and as a woman who was taught about God?,” Judge Erasmus asked.
Lombaard replied yes.
“You made food for Joshlin, how did you look at her as you were making food, knowing she was your ticket to get R1,000.”
Lombard said: “I don’t have an answer, my Lord.”