SIX-YEAR-OLD’S KILLER PLEADS GUILTY AND IS CONVICTED ON ALL CHARGES

15 AUGUST 2025

SIX-YEAR-OLD’S KILLER PLEADS GUILTY AND IS CONVICTED ON ALL CHARGES

Sara Pete Simiao (25) has pleaded guilty to four charges of Kidnapping, Rape, Murder and Contravention of the Immigration Act, relating to the death of six-year-old Amantle Samane in Orlando East in October 2024. The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division in Johannesburg, subsequently convicted him on all counts.

State Advocates, Zamikhaya Staffa and Matshediso Phatlanyane, presented the charges in court. In his plea, through his counsel, Simiao admitted to all charges. He provided a detailed recounting of the heinous acts he committed, confessing that he was under the influence of alcohol and had strangled the victim to conceal the rape.

On the day of the incident, the six-year-old’s mother, with the help of the Orlando East community, searched for her missing daughter. A witness, who had earlier seen the child walking with Simiao, who he knew was not a relative, became suspicious and led the community members to a shack where the child’s lifeless, half-naked body was found. After an extensive search and investigation, the suspect was located and arrested by police in Zola, Soweto, on 23 October 2024. The Court reviewed all aspects of the plea, found him guilty as charged and adjourned the case to 19 August 2025 for sentencing.

Each of these successful prosecutions is the culmination of months and even years of painstaking investigative and prosecutorial work and exemplifies hundreds of similar cases prosecuted successfully daily.

Issued by:

Phindi Mjonondwane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Gauteng Division, Johannesburg

0834024787/0112204245

hmjonondwane@npa.gov.za