The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed it will argue in favour of granting indemnity to Lourentia Lombaard, one of the former accused turned state witness in the high-profile Joshlin Smith kidnapping case.
Judge Nathan Erasmus, who presided over the trial, is expected to make a ruling on the matter following a formal Section 204 enquiry.
Lombaard testified against her co-accused under the condition that she may be granted indemnity from prosecution for her role in Joshlin’s disappearance should she give full and truthful testimony.
She previously admitted to lying in some of the statements she gave to the police.
The outcome now lies in the hands of the court.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape High Court is preparing to hear appeal applications from the convicted trio: Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, along with Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn. They filed notices for leave to appeal their sentences and convictions last week.
The three were sentenced to life imprisonment last month for trafficking young Joshlin Smith. She vanished from the Middlepos informal settlement in February 2024. Each of them were also handed an additional 10-year sentence for kidnapping.
READ MORE: Joshlin Smith Still Missing: Mother and Co-Accused Sentenced to Life for Kidnapping and Trafficking
Senior State Prosecutor, Advocate Aradhana Heeramun, stated that the prosecution is ready to defend the convictions.
“We will be arguing very strongly that there was no false or misdirection by the judge in this matter. If an appeal is diminished by this honorable court, the defense may then be petitioned by the SCA. Whichever way it goes, the state will be defending this judgement and sentence at every level from here on.”
Erasmus is yet to finalise dates for the hearings.
