Try GOLD - Free
Life for man who raped, murdered Amantle, 6
The Star
|September 02, 2025
THE man convicted of raping and murdering six-year-old Amantle Samane was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Johannesburg High Court yesterday.
Phethe Simiao, 25, a Mozambican national, was convicted after pleading guilty to kidnapping, rape, murder, and contravening the Immigration Act for crimes against the young girl from Orlando East in October last year.
In his plea explanation, which was read out by his legal counsel, Simiao provided in-depth details of his crimes against Amantle.
Simiao explained that he was under the influence of alcohol, and he had strangled the young girl in an attempt to conceal the rape. During the trial, the court heard Amantle’s mother and the community were searching for her, and a witness, who saw the child with Simiao, alerted the community after seeing the child walking with him and knowing he was not a relative.
Upon arriving at the shack, community members discovered Amantle’s half-naked body on the floor.
This story is from the September 02, 2025 edition of The Star.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Star
The Star
Joburg's residents being pushed to the brink
THE City of Johannesburg is currently in crisis — a fact that is denied by the leadership.
4 mins
February 10, 2026
The Star
Committee hails decision to expel Milnerton School bullies
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has welcomed the Western Cape Department of Education’s (WCED) decision to expel a group of learners involved in a bullying scandal.
1 min
February 10, 2026
The Star
Hill-Lewis tipped as next DA leader
CAPE Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis's rise to the top of the DA now appears all but inevitable, with political analysts saying his ascent has effectively been sealed following glowing public praise from DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille.
2 mins
February 10, 2026
The Star
Zim expects stronger economic ties with China
AS THE Chinese New Year approaches, the economic partnership between China and Zimbabwe is expected to gain fresh momentum as bilateral cooperation continues to expand, a Zimbabwean minister has said.
1 mins
February 10, 2026
The Star
Biosecurity breakdown in agriculture: A call for accountability and skilled professionals
AFTER years in the agricultural sector and having worked at the frontline of political lobbying, disaster management, farmer development, land reform, biosecurity, financing, and farm security, I am deeply alarmed.
4 mins
February 10, 2026
The Star
Glencore’s $250m prepayment deal powers Orion’s Prieska copper restart
GLENCORE has secured bulk copper and zinc concentrates from South African junior Orion Minerals’ Prieska mine under a $250 million prepayment agreement, underscoring the intensifying global race for critical minerals.
2 mins
February 10, 2026
The Star
Unheard audio resurfaces in new Michael Jackson documentary
THE conversation around children, power and celebrity behaviour has never felt more uncomfortable or more unavoidable.
2 mins
February 10, 2026
The Star
Concern in agriculture sector over Land Bank CEO Rikhotso’s resignation
THE resignation of Land Bank CEO, Themba Rikhotso, announced on Friday, has been met with shock and concern across South Africa's agricultural sector, with industry leaders warning that uncertainty at the institution could have far-reaching consequences for farmers and food security.
2 mins
February 10, 2026
The Star
SASSA flags nearly 495 000 ineligible grant recipients
THE South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has flagged nearly 495 000 individuals who were previously counted as recipients of monthly social grant payouts after discovering they had received money they were not entitled to.
2 mins
February 10, 2026
The Star
Prince William begins Saudi Arabia visit
PRINCE William began his first official visit to Saudi Arabia with a meeting yesterday with host Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as London seeks to deepen economic cooperation with the Gulf nation.
2 mins
February 10, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size