
Man accused of raping, murdering Amantle Samane (6) back in court
He's expected to plead to the charges against him at the High Court in Johannesburg.
Phethe Simiao faces charges of murder, rape, kidnapping, and contravening the Immigration Act.
Amantle disappeared from her Orlando West home last year, sparking a widespread search.
Her body was later discovered inside Simiao's shack in nearby Orlando East.
The 24-year-old was arrested in October and has remained in custody after abandoning his bail bid.

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Eyewitness News
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MK Party takes battle against Cachalia to the High Court
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IOL News
16 hours ago
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Activist demands jail time for key witness in Joshlin Smith case
Lourentia Lombaard was granted full immunity from prosecution by the Western Cape High Court. Image: Armand Hough Anti-gender-based violence activist June Dolley Major said the woman who turned State witness in the case of missing Saldanha Bay girl Joshlin Smith, should have served time in prison. Her comments come after Lourentia 'Renz' Lombaard was granted full immunity from prosecution by Western Cape High Court Judge Nathan Erasmus on Wednesday afternoon. Lombaard was arrested in March 2024 alongside Joshlin's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn, and she turned State witness. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading All three were convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking and are serving life sentences. Judge Erasmus found that Lombaard had provided 'key evidence' and testified 'honestly and frankly' in her Section 204 statement. But Dolley Major, speaking outside the court, said she believed any crime involving a child warranted some form of punishment. 'Lots of emotions are going on right now,' she said. 'I understand why she's indemnified, guilty after the fact, and not active at all. But as always, my concern is Joshlin. 'My personal opinion is no disrespect to Judge Erasmus in any way whatsoever, he handled it all so well. I feel any crime involving a child should serve some kind of time.' The defence has indicated it will approach the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein to try to overturn the convictions and sentences. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said they were satisfied with both the convictions and Lombaard's indemnity. 'It's an outcome that we argued for. We believe there's no other court that could come to a different conclusion,' he said. 'We believe the decision to convict them for trafficking in persons for purposes of exploitation, as well as kidnapping, and handing down life sentences, was correct. There was no other suitable sentence. 'We are also happy with the outcome in terms of the Section 204 witness, Ms Lombaard, because we believe she testified frankly and honestly, which is a requirement of the Act. She did not try to take herself out of the crime, but told the court what happened and the role she played.'

IOL News
17 hours ago
- IOL News
Court grants indemnity to Laurentia Lombaard in Joshlin Smith case
Laurentia Lombaard has been granted indemnity. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers 'You played no active role in the trafficking and kidnapping of Joshlin Smith,' were the words from Judge Nathan Erasmus as he delivered his much-anticipated judgment on the indemnity of the Section 204 witness Laurentia Lombaard. The judgment was delivered in the Western Cape High Court. Lombaard was the state's star witness during the trial of the missing green-eyed girl from Middelpos in Saldanha. Lombaard was initially arrested and charged alongside Kelly Smith, Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn for the kidnapping of Joshlin. Joshlin Smith has been missing since February 19, 2024. Image: SAPS However, months after her arrest, Lombaard opted to become a Section 204 witness for the State, providing key evidence that helped secure the convictions of the trio. Her lawyer, Advocate Eben van Tonder submitted that while there were some minor discrepancies found during her testimony, the court needed to take into consideration that nerves can be a factor when testifying. He stated that even professionals feel nervous when testifying, and many times not under such scrutiny as in this matter. 'The court relied on parts of the witness's testimony for judgment. Taking it all into account, the witness testified honestly. She made huge sacrifices, especially when it comes to her family. Her whole life has been uprooted, and she was placed in witness protection,' van Tonder submitted. Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith were sentenced in May. Image: Robin-Lee Francke/IOL During her testimony, Lombaard told the court Kelly sold Joshlin for R20,000 with the promise of giving van Rhyn R1,200, herself R1,000, and sharing the rest with Boeta. Delivering his judgment, Judge Erasus told Lombaard he knew she faced a lot of criticism, but he had gone through everything, looking not just at the facts but also at everything with common sense. 'At times, as in your case, a person does not come clean because of something you expected. This is the R1,000. It might sound a little to some people. I saw your living conditions. I was at your house. I heard about your prolonged drug use. To you, R1,000 was a lot. You needed it for your drug habit, which was so bad that you often went to Ms Smith to beg for food for your children. I am glad to see you're doing better,' Judge Erasmus told Lombaard. He further said: 'You left school in primary school. You have never been in trouble, do not know how to deal with authority. It is seldom a co-conspirator comes out with everything in the beginning. It took you seven months, from March to October'. Judge Erasmus said it would be unfair to attach too much weight to everything before someone became a Section 204 witness. 'I asked you many questions and at times you said you lied or you corrected yourself. You owned up to your mistakes. The decision I make will not be accepted by everyone. There will be people who will criticise you. I am of the view that you should be granted indemnity on charges relating to human trafficking and the kidnapping of Joshlin Smith. Yes, you were quiet. You played no active role in the trafficking or kidnapping of Joshlin. You may not be prosecuted,' Erasmus said. Lombaard stood up in court with a bright smile and teary eyes as relief washed over her. Judge Erasmus also rejected the application for leave to appeal their convictions and sentencing of Kelly, Boeta, and van Rhyn. Joshlin was reported missing on February 19, 2024. The little girl is yet to be found. [email protected] IOL