Their stories presented a terrible picture of what supposedly transpired in the days before Joshlin vanished.
According to BBC News, Smith’s friend and neighbor Lombaard turned into a major state witness. Before the youngster disappeared, Smith confided in her, according to her testimony: “I did something dumb. I sold a sangoma my child”.
Lombaard claims that before meeting a woman thought to be the healer, Smith even packed Joshlin’s stuff into a black bag.
Lombaard also mentioned to the court that Smith had sought silence for purchase. “She promised money to me and others in return for our quiet,” she said.
Lombaard was tried to be discredited by the defense by stressing her drug usage and alleging she was a “opportunist,” but she stayed strong on the stand, acknowledging drug use but refused to take back her words.
Under Advocate Zelda Swanepoel, the State maintained that life sentences were appropriate: “We don’t have her, we don’t know where she is… That all irritates me.
