Phethe Simiao Handed 2 Life Sentences for the Murder and Rape of Soweto Youngster Amantle Samane

• Mozambican national Phethe Simiao was sentenced in the Johannesburg High Court on 1 September 2025
• The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to the kidnapping, rape and murder of the six-year-old Amantle Samane
• The Mozambican national appeared emotional in court after the sentencing, as community members celebrated

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – Phethe Simiao has been sentenced in the Johannesburg High Court for the rape and murder of Amantle Samane.

The six-year-old girl was found dead in Simiao’s shack in Soweto in October 2024. The Mozambican national initially went on the run and was arrested two days after the crime.

Simiao was charged with kidnapping, murder, rape, and the contravention of the Immigration Act.

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Simiao handed two life sentences

After he pleaded guilty to all four counts in August 2025, Simiao returned to court on 1 September 2025 for sentencing.

Judge William Karam delivered the sentence, saying that Simiao showed no remorse. He sentenced the Mozambican national to two years for kidnapping, life imprisonment for murder, life imprisonment for rape, and two years for contravention of the Immigration Act.

The sentences will run concurrently, meaning Simiao will effectively serve a life sentence. The Mozambican appeared emotional in court after the sentence was delivered, putting his head in his hands. Journalists attempted to get his thoughts, asking if he had a message to the family, but he remained silent.

His lawyer confirmed outside the courtroom that his client would not be appealing the decision, as Simiao had already pleaded guilty to the crime. The sentencing was welcomed by the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Phindi Mjonondwane, who said she hoped it sent a deterrent to like-minded individuals.

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She added that crimes against children were on the increase, but that the NPA would continue to be a voice for the victims.

Judge explains reasons for sentence

In handing down his sentence, Judge Karam stated that Simiao refused to take the court into confidence when he opted not to testify. As a result, the court was left with so many questions, which he said showed a lack of remorse.

Ntombizodwa Samane, Amantle's Samane, expressed the same frustration, saying that she would never know why he did what he did.

Judge Karam also stated that Simiao's mitigating factors—such as his separation from his wife and child—were consequences of his own actions. The judge's decision sparked applause in the courtroom, as members of the community celebrated the decision.

People cheered as Simiao was led away, with many shouting at him to 'go'.

Amantle's mother calls for harsh sentence

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Briefly News reported on 19 August 2025 that Ntombizodwa Samane called for a harsh sentence for Simiao.

She made the appeal while testifying as part of the victim impact statement against her daughter's murderer.

Simiao, a Mozambican national, raped and murdered the six-year-old girl in Soweto in October 2024.

Source: Briefly News