The Protea Magistrate’s Court in Soweto saw a brief moment of relief today when Phethe Sara Simiao, the man accused of raping and murdering six-year-old Amantle Samane, abandoned his bail application. The decision came after residents of Orlando East had offered to pay for his bail, expressing outrage over the brutal crime Simiao is accused of committing, and the trauma it caused Samane’s family.
Simiao, 24, was represented by a new legal team during his court appearance. His attorney, Ndivhuwo Masindi, informed the court that they were following instructions from Simiao to abandon his formal bail application. “Your worship, it is my instruction that the accused will not proceed with his formal bail application and we are abandoning bail at this stage,” Masindi said, confirming the decision.
State prosecutor Thapelo Mohapi informed the court that investigations into the case had been concluded, although final instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were still awaited. As a result, the matter was postponed to 27 January 2025 for further DPP instructions. In the meantime, Simiao will remain in custody.
The case has attracted widespread attention due to the brutal nature of the crime. On 21 October 2024, Samane was allegedly abducted, raped, and murdered by Simiao in his shack, which was just two streets away from her home. Her body was discovered in the shack after she went missing, sparking outrage and grief among the community.
Simiao’s previous court appearance saw a disturbing report of an assault by prison wardens, which led to a court order for him to be transferred to solitary confinement for medical attention. As Simiao awaits his next court date, the community continues to demand justice for Amantle Samane.
