The courtroom atmosphere was thick with tension as the trial into the disappearance of Joshlin Smith progressed into its 12th day. The spotlight remained firmly on witness Paulina Tshosa, who, despite rigorous cross-examination, showed unwavering conviction regarding her testimony.
On the stand, Tshosa detailed a troubling incident that took place on 18 February 2024, the day before Joshlin was reported missing. While heading to her hair appointment in the informal settlement of Middelpos, Tshosa observed an altercation involving a woman later identified as Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith. Crucially, she also noted a child nearby during the confrontation.
Describing the scene, Tshosa recalled, “I thought she was fighting with her husband and taking her frustrations out on the child,” indicating her belief that the woman and the man, whom she assumed was Smith’s partner, were engaged in a heated dispute. Notably, she recalled the man sitting amidst boulders, flanked by two other individuals.
The cross-examination led by Nobahle Mkabayi, representing Smith’s fiancé Steveno van Rhyn, was met with scrutiny from Judge Nathan Erasmus. The judge frequently intervened, instructing Mkabayi to either refine her questions or provide clarifications for her statements. Despite the aggressive line of questioning, Tshosa held her ground, steadfast in her recollection of events. Mkabayi appeared determined to undermine the witness’s credibility, a goal that proved elusive as Tshosa resolutely reiterated her statement.
In defense of his client, Rinesh Sivnarain, Smith’s attorney, declared that all allegations were firmly denied. In a turn of events, Laurentia Lombaard, a former accused who became a State witness, also faced cross-examination. Explaining her decision to testify, Lombaard stated, “I told myself that I was going to speak the truth as I could no longer hide things.”
Appollis’ lawyer, Fanie Harmse, probed Lombaard about her boyfriend, Ayanda Letoni, who has been frequently mentioned in the context of the case due to his ownership of a local carwash. Lombaard testified that Letoni departed Saldanha in March 2024, before her own incarceration and clarified the quality of his acquaintance with Joshlin’s family. “No, there were not. Ayanda knew it was Smith’s child. They just knew each other from seeing one another,” she affirmed.
In a dramatic moment during her testimony, Lombaard admitted, “I smoke drugs two or three times a day,” shedding light on her lifestyle that intertwined with Smith’s. She previously testified about drug use in the presence of Smith and Appollis, albeit never at her home, claiming her boyfriend’s strictness. When Harmse attempted to challenge her earlier claims, Judge Erasmus quickly stepped in, asserting the inaccuracies in Harmse’s assertions, urging him to refer back to the trial record.
With legal arguments intensifying and testimonies continuing to unfold, the trial remains in the public eye, fuelling speculation and drawing community interest as it seeks to uncover the truth behind Joshlin Smith’s disappearance. The trial continues.