Latest news with #Simiao
Eyewitness News
27-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
NPA confident in case against man accused of raping, murdering Amantle Samane
JOHANNESBURG - With a trial date now set, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it's ready to go head-to-head with the man accused of raping and murdering a six-year-old girl in Soweto. Twenty-four-year-old Pethe Simiao, a Mozambican national, is accused of kidnapping, raping, and killing Amantle Samane, whose body was discovered in his shack in Orlando in October 2024. He's also charged with contravening immigration laws. On Tuesday, the State and Simiao's legal team wrapped up pre-trial proceedings at the Johannesburg High Court. The matter has now been set down for trial from 31 July to 8 August. The NPA said it was confident in its case. NPA spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane said: "We are ready to proceed to trial as the State. We are finalising the consultation process with our witnesses, but come the 31st of July, we'll be ready to call our first witness. There were prospects of a successful prosecution, hence we decided to enrol the matter. So as the State, we are ready to present a formidable case before court." Simiao remains in custody. ALSO READ: Alleged child rapist, murdered Simiao intends to plead guilty to one of four
Eyewitness News
27-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Trial date set for the alleged rapist and murderer of a 6-year-old Soweto girl
JOHANNESBURG - A trial date has been set for Pethe Sara Simiao, the man accused of raping and murdering a six-year-old girl in Soweto. 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.
Eyewitness News
27-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Alleged child rapist, murderer Simiao intends to plead guilty to one of four charges
JOHANNESBURG - Alleged child rapist and murderer Pethe Sara Simiao said he intends to plead guilty to just one of the four charges he faces. The 24-year-old Mozambican national appeared in the Johannesburg High Court for the conclusion of his pre-trial hearing. He faces charges of rape, murder, kidnapping, and contravening South Africa's immigration laws. Simiao was arrested in 2024 after the body of six-year-old Amantle Samane was found in his shack in Orlando, Soweto. The court heard that he plans to plead guilty to entering and staying in the country illegally, but that plea will only be formally entered during the trial. 'That'll be part of the trial. It's not noted here in the pre-trial document – it's just noted that there may be a plea for count number four, I think.' A trial date is expected to be set soon.
