Amantle Samane rape and murder suspect appears in court for the first time, State opposes bail

JOHANNESBURG – The trial against a suspect linked to the rape and murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane has been adjourned until November 1.

The defendant, whose name was identified as 23-year-old Pethe Sara Simiao, appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on charges of kidnapping, rape, murder and violating the Immigration Law.

On Monday, police officers launched a manhunt for the alleged attacker and arrested him on Wednesday.

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According to police, Samane’s body was found at the suspect’s home in Orlando after he allegedly lured the young girl to his home, where he committed a heinous crime and left her body behind while fleeing.

The wanted suspect appeared in a packed courtroom for the first time since he went on the run following Amantle’s gruesome murder.