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.

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