‘Money for drugs’: Relative of Joshlin Smith Accused Breaks Silence
The family of Lourentia Lombaard, one of the individuals linked to the disappearance of Saldanha Bay girl Joshlin Smith, has opened up about her alleged drug use.
Lombaard, the fifth person arrested in connection with the case, has reportedly confessed fully to the incident, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
It’s been almost six weeks since Joshlin Smith went missing from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in Diazville on the West Coast, and she has yet to be found.
Four suspects, including Joshlin’s mother, Kelly, her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, and friends Steveno Van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard, have been arrested for kidnapping and human trafficking. All four are suspected of abusing the street drug Tik (crystal meth).
Phumza Sigaqa, one of the accused, had charges against her dropped. The remaining four have waived bail and are currently in custody.
In an interview with the Daily Voice, an unidentified cousin of Lombaard confirmed that she had borrowed money for drugs just before Joshlin’s disappearance, stating,
“My mom is very hurt about this. The family is praying for her, and she must just tell the truth. We are not close with her but she came to us to ask for money for drugs before Joshlin disappeared. And that was the last time we saw her.”
Meanwhile, it’s reported by the Citizen that Joshlin Smith’s mother, Kelly, is allegedly pregnant and is being kept in custody in a single cell in Pollsmoor Prison after being attacked by fellow inmates.
Kelly had previously admitted to drug use in an interview with politician Gayton McKenzie but claimed she became “clean” when her daughter went missing.
McKenzie shared that he had meals with Kelly and her two children, provided them with new clothes, cell phones, and emotional support. He also arranged for a safe house for Kelly and her boyfriend and ensured their security. According to McKenzie, Kelly and Boeta’s drug addiction likely played a role in the allegations of them “selling” Joshlin.