⚖️ Judgment Day for Little Amantle Samane’s Killer

THE man accused of raping and killing six-year-old Amantle Samane to plead guilty to all charges.

Phethe Sara Simao briefly appeared in the Joburg High Court on Monday, 11 August, but his matter was postponed to Friday, 15 August as the court was busy with another trial.

Defence Advocate Ndivhuwo Masindi told Daily Sun after thorough consultation with his client, they decided he will plead guilty to all counts.

“We took the decision after we received disclosure from the state. He indicated that he doesn’t want to waste the state’s time by going for a long trial. That’s why he decided he wants to plead guilty,” said the advocate.

Family representative Brenda Mjiyako said the family is excited the accused will plead guilty. “We will wait for the final date when he will be sentenced.

“Coming here was difficult. The witnesses were here and they were scared that today would take them back to the scene. One of the witnesses said this brings back everything that happened when Amantle was found,” she said.

Brenda said looking at the accused brought mixed emotions as they still do not know what Amantle did to deserve such a horrible thing.

“We thank God for giving us strength,” she said.

Asked if they are willing to forgive the suspect, Brenda said: “The Bible says we should not judge, however, he doesn’t deserve our forgiveness, but we cannot judge him.”

She added that it angered the family when he initially denied raping and killing the child.

Amantle was allegedly lured to a shack in Orlando East, Soweto, on 21 October 2024. She was later found dead, with visible bruising on her neck and signs of having been sexually assaulted and strangled.