Trial date set for the alleged rapist and murderer of a 6-year-old Soweto girl
The 24-year-old Mozambican national was arrested in October last year, after the body of six-year-old Amantle Samane was found inside his shack in Orlando, Soweto.
READ: Amantle Samane murder-accused due back in court
After several appearances at the Protea Magistrates Court, his matter was transferred to the Johannesburg High Court where he now faces four charges, including kidnapping, murder, rape, and contravening the Immigration Act.
During the early stages of the case, Simiao abandoned his bid for bail after the State indicated it would strongly oppose his release due to his undocumented status in South Africa.
He appeared in court on Tuesday to wrap up his pre-trial hearing, looking dishevelled and keeping his head hung low.
Usually, this stage allows accused persons to plead guilty or not guilty. But Simiao has only indicated an intention to plead guilty to one count, relating to immigration violations.
The court heard that formal pleas would be entered at the start of the trial.
"Now this matter has been postponed for plea and trial to the 31st of July 2025. The estimated duration for this trial is to the 8th of August 2025."
Simiao will remain in custody until his next court appearance.
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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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ 'This case was compromised from the start,' she said. 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'She has much to lose,' Van Tonder argued. 'She knows her possible immunity from prosecution will be jeopardised if she is dishonest to the court. This in itself incentivised her to be truthful.' He submitted that she qualified for full immunity under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act on all counts in the indictment and any competent verdicts arising from it. Joshlin vanished from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay on February 19, 2024. Her mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, Appollis, and Van Rhyn were later convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking, each receiving life sentences. The appeal continues on Wednesday morning.
