Cape Town — The case against Pethe Sara Simiao, the 23-year-old man who allegedly raped and murdered six-year-old Amantle Samane last week, has been postponed and he will remain in custody.
Simiao was apprehended on Wednesday by police following extensive work by police, the Soweto community and the media who worked tirelessly to bring him to justice. He made his first court appearance in the Protea Magistrates Court on charges of kidnapping, rape, murder and contravention of the Immigration Act, EWN reported.
The court proceedings on Friday were brief but not short of action as Simiao attempted to bar the media from broadcasting the matter, which he said would be a concern of his safety were he to be released on bail. Magistrate Tshepiso Maepa denied the request and postponed the matter to 1 November.
Maepa added that the likelihood of Simiao getting bail was slim to due the severity of the charges levelled against him, as well as his illegal status in South Africa.
[WATCH] Phethe Sara Simiao, accused of the rape and murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane, is making his first appearance in the Protea Glen Magistrate’s Court. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/Sge6POY2n2
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 25, 2024
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane said the NPA was given sufficient evidence against Simiao and there are prospects for a successful prosecution, Newzroom Afrika reported.
Mjonodwane also said bail could be refused as it is a schedule 6 offence so it is upon the court to determine whether he is able to be released on bail, but the NPA would be opposing his bail.
“He is here in the country illegally so we believe that those are some of the facts we will be presenting in court that are already working against his application. Furthermore, it is our stance against Gender-Based Violence case and we have been empowered towards GBV cases,” she said.
The case against the man arrested in connection with the rape and murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane has been postponed to November 1 for formal bail application. Pethe Sara Simiao appeared briefly in the Protea Magistrate’s Court today after his arrest on Wednesday. Newzroom… pic.twitter.com/3ErRWFAfTg
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 25, 2024
Meanwhile, Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, said what happened to little Samane was a “devastating tragedy” and said it was hard to look at him during the court proceedings, The Citizen reported.
“It was even hard to look at this fellow in court because when you look at him you are overcome by emotions; you are overcome by a sense of anger,” he told reporters.
Mchunu also lamented that Simiao was in the country illegally and was disappointed that someone who was not meant to be in the country was capable of such a tragic act. he believed that, while Simiao does have the right to bail “on paper” he should not be granted bail.
“It is terrible what he did, we have no words to describe,” the minister continued.
Mchunu also explained that the Simiao’s landlords are also under criminal investigation for allgedly harbouring an illegal immigrant.
“I am aware of that case, the police are handing that particular case… and they need time to work on it.”
What happened to 6 year old Amantle Samane is a travesty, no parent, no one should ever have to go through that. pic.twitter.com/jWqVCPdfLt
— Senzo Mchunu (@Senzo_Mchunu_) October 25, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
