logo
Joshlin Smith: NPA says Lourencia Lombaard should be indemnified from prosecution

Joshlin Smith: NPA says Lourencia Lombaard should be indemnified from prosecution

Eyewitness News5 days ago
CAPE TOWN - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said former accused-turned-State witness in the Joshlin Smith trial, Lourencia Lombaard, should be indemnified from prosecution.
Lombaard will hear whether she faces jail time for her role in Joshlin's disappearance in August.
Her testimony proved pivotal to the conviction and sentencing of Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn.
ALSO READ: Court sets aside August dates to hear applications for leave to appeal convictions, sentences of Smith, Appollis & Van Rhyn
Lombaard told the court that she witnessed Smith sell six-year-old Joshlin to a sangoma for R20,000 in February 2024.
She was later arrested along with Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn for her role in Joshlin's disappearance.
Lombaard admitted that she agreed to accept money from Smith to keep quiet about the sale of the child.
She later turned State witness and testified against Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said that the State would argue in Lombaard's favour.
"We believe and we will argue that the court should indemnify her from prosecution."
The matter is set to be heard in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on 13 August.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

CoCT's JP Smith says 700 new 'neighbourhood police officers' trained to have multitude of skills
CoCT's JP Smith says 700 new 'neighbourhood police officers' trained to have multitude of skills

Eyewitness News

time2 hours ago

  • Eyewitness News

CoCT's JP Smith says 700 new 'neighbourhood police officers' trained to have multitude of skills

CAPE TOWN - City of Cape Town (CoCT) Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said the 700 new "neighbourhood police officers" were being trained to have a multitude of skills. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis recently joined Smith at the city's Observatory College, where the officers were in their final stages of training. READ: CoCT's 'neighbourhood policing' initiative to see metro police officers deployed in every ward Smith explained some of the training the officers had to endure. "The candidates completed an 18-month-long training programme which included traffic officer training, metro police officer training, which included firearm competency, as well as specialised training which included our neighbourhood safety officer training, evidence-based policing, additional tactical training." Smith said the officers were also taught how to use the city's electronic devices. "Officers were also put through their paces using the city's cutting-edge firearms training simulator. Officers will be assigned EPIC hand-held devices for digital coordination and reporting of offences as part of our computer-aided dispatching system." Smith said that five officers per ward would be deployed across Cape Town in spring.

Cop accused of hiding key evidence in gang-related murder
Cop accused of hiding key evidence in gang-related murder

The South African

time14 hours ago

  • The South African

Cop accused of hiding key evidence in gang-related murder

A police officer was arrested for defeating the ends of justice after allegedly failing to declare a firearm linked to an alleged gang-related murder. Sergeant Myka Constance Shale, attached to the Crime Intelligence Gathering (CIG) unit, was allegedly handed the firearm by an informer. The weapon was reportedly found at the crime scene. Shale appeared at the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court and was granted R4,000 bail on Wednesday, 23 July. According to a police report, the firearm was picked up at the murder scene of 38-year-old Wilfred Casper on Saturday, 12 July, in Marikana. However, after Shale received it, she allegedly failed to hand it in or declare it. Casper was found with multiple stab wounds and other injuries and was declared dead on the scene. Five days later, Ikageng Detectives arrested eight suspects, aged between 27 and 35. It is alleged they are all members of the SVK gang. The eight suspects appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 17 July, on charges of murder and were remanded in custody for a bail application. Shale is expected to appear in court again on Monday, 6 October. North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, commended the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) for their work in the matter. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news

Bogus prosecutor charged after defrauding NPA of R1. 1 million using fraudulent law degree
Bogus prosecutor charged after defrauding NPA of R1. 1 million using fraudulent law degree

IOL News

time15 hours ago

  • IOL News

Bogus prosecutor charged after defrauding NPA of R1. 1 million using fraudulent law degree

Luthando Nomandindi is facing serious charges after purportedly defrauding the State of more than R1.1 million as a fake prosecutor. A former prosecutor for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), is facing serious charges after purportedly defrauding the state of more than R1.1 million. Luthando Nomandindi, 33, appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court in the Eastern Cape facing charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering. The charges against Nomandindi stem from his time at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), where he was enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree programme from 2010 to 2016. Despite being registered for six years, Nomandindi failed to satisfy the academic requirements necessary for graduation. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana explained that between January 2010 and December 2016, Nomandindi was enrolled for a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree at Walter Sisulu University, however, he did not meet the graduation criteria. "Despite this, in 2020, Nomandindi apparently submitted a falsified LLB degree certificate and a bogus Legal Education and Development (L.E.A.D) attendance report as part of his application to the NPA's Aspirant Prosecutor Programme, which required a legitimate LLB qualification or proof of final-year status." said Mhlakuvana. Mhlakuvana said based on his fraudulent credentials, in January 2021, Nomandindi was appointed as an Aspirant Prosecutor and later elevated to the position of Public Prosecutor.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store