Johannesburg — The Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday heard the emotional victim impact statement from Ntombizodwa Samane, mother of six-year-old Amantle Samane, who was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by Mozambican national Phethe Sera Simiao in October 2024.
Sentencing for Simiao, 25, is scheduled for September 1.
Simiao pleaded guilty last Friday to kidnapping, rape, murder, and contravening the Immigration Act.
In court, he admitted to strangling Amantle to conceal the rape while under the influence of alcohol.
[WATCH] The state has asked the court to consider giving Phethe Simiao two life sentences for the rape and murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane. Simiao pleaded guilty to killing and raping Samane in October last year in Soweto. pic.twitter.com/NsWc81mmaJ
— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 19, 2025
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) detailed how the Orlando East community assisted Amantle’s mother in searching for the missing child.
A witness, suspicious after seeing Amantle with Simiao — who was not a relative — led authorities to the shack where Amantle’s lifeless body was discovered.
Simiao’s lawyer, Advocate Ndivhuwo Masindi, argued that his client demonstrated remorse by pleading guilty and attempting to report himself to police after the crime.
[WATCH] The case against six-year-old Amantle Samane’s killer has been postponed to 1 September for sentencing. Mozambican national Phethe Simiao, 25, pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of the little girl. @sholwana_z reports.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/lzl3mxdewn
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 19, 2025
However, prosecutor Zamikhaya Staffa countered that a guilty plea alone does not prove remorse, noting Simiao could have revealed more about his motives and actions but chose not to.
Staffa also highlighted that Simiao had opportunities to change his mind after locking Amantle in the shack but returned to commit the crimes.
Samane spoke with heartbreak of her ongoing trauma, telling the court she struggles to sleep and now harbors hatred towards foreigners.
[WATCH]
The pre-sentencing proceedings are under way in the case against Phethe Simiao, who has been convicted of the rape and murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane. Amantle’s mother is currently on the stand. pic.twitter.com/Pxz7jXUhDy— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 19, 2025
“I now hate foreign nationals. I want revenge but my God and church do not allow that.
“I wish South Africa could be like Botswana; when you kill, you get killed. I want Simiao to get three life sentences. The life of my child was cut short and he knew what he was doing,” she said.
She said she wishes Simiao would receive three life sentences. The judge encouraged the family to continue attending church for spiritual support despite their pain.
Amantle, who would have turned seven on Tuesday, was described as a happy child who loved school and dreamed of becoming a nurse.
Her death has shattered her family, with her surviving children showing signs of withdrawal and depression.
