The man convicted of the rape and murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane has been sentenced to two life terms behind bars in the High Court in Johannesburg.

The 25-year-old Mozambican national, Phethe Simiao, confessed to kidnapping, raping and killing the Soweto girl.

[BREAKING NEWS]
Johannesburg High Court has sentenced Mozambican national Phethe Simiao to life imprisonment. The 25-year-old admitted to kidnapping, raping and killing six-year-old Amantle Samane in October 2024. pic.twitter.com/wtX9Dzmrjk

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Samane disappeared from her Orlando West home in October last year. Her body was found in Simiao’s home in Orlando East, days later.

When delivering the sentence, Judge William Karam said: “This court is of the view that the following are proper and just sentences in the circumstances. On count 1, the kidnapping of a child, you’re sentenced to 2 years and on count 2, for the murder of a minor child you are sentenced to life imprisonment. On count 3, the rape of the minor child, you are sentenced to life imprisonment and on count 4, contravening the immigration act by remaining unlawfully, you’re sentenced to 2 years.”

He says by operation of the law, all sentences imposed run concurrently with the life sentence.

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the two life sentences handed down.

“There is a difference between remorse and regret and the accused was rather feeling sorry for himself rather than feeling guilty and sorry for the crimes he has committed and how it affected the family of the little girl. We are happy with his sentence as the NPA,” says Gauteng NPA Regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

VIDEO | Amantle Samane murder court case: