Johannesburg High Court Hands Life Sentence to Man for Kidnapping, Rape, and Murder of Six-Year-Old

Johannesburg, Gauteng – A 25-year-old man, Phethe Simiao, has been sentenced to two life imprisonments by the Johannesburg High Court for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane. Simiao also received concurrent sentences for contravening the Immigration Act, with the court noting he was unlawfully in South Africa at the time of the offenses.

Guilty Plea and Evidence

Simiao pleaded guilty to all charges on 15 August 2025, acknowledging the nature of the crimes and the minimum sentencing legislation. The court reviewed a range of evidence, including:

• Post-mortem reports
• Affidavits from the Department of Home Affairs
• Photographs of the crime scene

Heartbreaking Victim Impact Statement

During sentencing, Amantle’s mother delivered a moving statement describing the devastating impact on herself and her three younger children. She expressed her desire for the maximum sentence and highlighted the emotional toll, including withdrawal from counseling, church, and daily routines.

“The loss of Amantle has left a void in our lives that cannot be healed,” she said.

Court Considerations and Aggravating Factors

The court acknowledged the personal circumstances of the accused, noting that Simiao was 24 at the time of the crimes, married, and had a young child. While his counsel claimed he showed remorse, the court found no evidence of genuine remorse, as he did not testify or explain his actions.

Aggravating factors included:

• The extreme vulnerability of the victim
• The premeditated and calculated nature of the crimes
• Societal need for justice and deterrence

READ: Phala Phala Farm Theft Trial: Three Accused Plead Not Guilty to $580,000 Burglary |

Sentencing Breakdown

Simiao was sentenced as follows:

• Kidnapping (count 1): 2 years imprisonment
• Murder (count 2): Life imprisonment
• Rape (count 3): Life imprisonment
• Contravention of the Immigration Act (count 4): 2 years imprisonment

All sentences will run concurrently, effectively resulting in a life sentence.

Upholding Justice and Public Confidence

The court emphasized that the ruling reflects the severity of the crimes and the need to maintain public confidence in South Africa’s justice system. It also reminded the public that the accused’s unlawful status should not be used to stereotype or generalize about other foreigners living in the country.