Amantle’s family demands harsh sentence ahead of guilty plea

The family of six-year-old Amantle Samane, who was brutally murdered last year, is calling for the harshest possible sentence for the man accused of killing her.

This comes as the accused, 24-year-old Mozambican national Phethe Simiao, prepares to plead guilty.

Simiao made a brief appearance in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday.

He faces charges of rape, murder, and contravening the Immigration Act.

Amantle was reported missing from her home in Orlando West, Soweto. Her half-naked body was later discovered in a shack where Simiao had been staying.

Family spokesperson Brenda Mjiyako expressed relief that the case is moving forward but said the family remains deeply traumatized.

“Coming to court today after so many postponements was difficult for the family. Many of the witnesses are here, and for them, it feels like reliving the trauma. One of the witnesses mentioned how being in court brought back the memory of where Amantle was found. It’s not easy,” Mjiyako said.

She said seeing the accused in court raised painful, unanswered questions.

“We keep asking ourselves: what did Amantle do to deserve such cruelty? Looking at him today… it was deeply painful. But we thank God for the strength that has carried us this far,” she added.

Simiao’s lawyer, Advocate Ndivhuwo Masindi, confirmed his client’s intention to plead guilty, stating that it is also meant to save the court’s time.

The case is expected to resume on Friday.