CAPE TOWN – Laurentia Lombaard, accused number four in the disappearance of Joshlyn Smith, will now appear as a state witness.

She made a deal with the state in exchange for testifying against three of her accomplices.

Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Ryn and Raquel “Kelly” Smith remain in custody in connection with the disappearance of a six-year-old girl from her home in Middelpos eight months ago.

The trio and Lombard appeared briefly at Vredenburg Magistrates’ Court on charges of kidnapping and human trafficking.

The case will now be heard in the Western Cape High Court for pre-trial on 31 January 2025.

All four suspects appeared at Fredenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The gallery was stunned by the announcement.

Lauretta Yohn, grandmother of a six-year-old, said she was glad there was movement in the case after eight months of uncertainty.

The three co-accused will return to court at the end of January for a preliminary hearing in Cape Town.