[UPDATE] Pethe Sara Simiao Arrested for the Murder of Six-Year-Old Amantle Samane in Soweto

Johannesburg — Gauteng police have confirmed the arrest of Pethe Sara Simiao, the key suspect in the horrific murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane from Orlando, Soweto. The arrest comes after days of intense investigation and a nationwide manhunt that mobilized police forces, Interpol, and local communities.

Amantle’s lifeless body was found in a shack located just 650 metres from her home on Monday, following a harrowing search led by her devastated family. She was last seen alive playing with her friends in the street, but when her mother, Ntombi Zodwa, returned from a nearby Usave store, the young girl had vanished.

Desperate to find her daughter, Zodwa searched everywhere she could think of, including the homes of relatives and Amantle’s father, three streets away. But it was a tip-off from a teenage boy that led to the tragic discovery. The teenager reported seeing Amantle walking with Simiao earlier that day. Driven by concern, he approached the man’s shack and forced the door open, where he found the young girl’s body inside.

The teenager quickly alerted the family. Zodwa recounted the heart-wrenching moment she found her daughter, “I found my child sleeping, covered in a blanket,” she said. Upon removing the blanket, she noticed Amantle’s shorts had been pulled off, and she saw clear signs that the little girl had been strangled. Her grief and shock have gripped the community as they grapple with the brutal loss.

A Swift Police Investigation and Arrest

On Tuesday, Gauteng police publicly identified Simiao as a person of interest in the case. However, following further investigation, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo announced that Simiao had become the primary suspect, and a warrant for his arrest was promptly issued.

Concerned that Simiao, who is not a South African national, might flee the country, police enlisted the help of Interpol to track him down. “Since the investigation revealed that this person is not a South African, we suspect that he might escape or go to his country of origin,” Masondo explained.

The investigation culminated in Simiao’s arrest on Wednesday, though police have not yet disclosed the specific circumstances or location of his apprehension. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the arrest early Thursday morning, and provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni is expected to provide additional details at a briefing later in the day at the Eldorado Park police station.

An Outpouring of Grief and Calls for Justice

The brutal nature of Amantle’s death has sparked outrage and deep sadness within the Soweto community. Residents have expressed anger over the failure to protect the vulnerable, particularly young children, in their neighborhood. Many are calling for stricter measures against undocumented individuals and a crackdown on landlords who fail to verify the legal status of tenants.

Community members gathered outside the crime scene in Orlando, where police tape still surrounded the shack that Simiao had been renting. Inside, the shack stood eerily empty, with only a steel table, an extension cord, bricks, playing cards, and a small shelf left behind.

A Mother’s Grief

Amantle’s mother, Ntombi Zodwa, is left grappling with a profound and irreplaceable loss. As she recounted the last moments she saw her daughter alive, her voice was heavy with emotion. Zodwa described how the teenage boy’s tip had led them to Simiao’s shack, where she discovered her daughter’s body. Her words painted a picture of the horror she faced, finding Amantle’s body in such a state.

Zodwa’s pain and courage in speaking out have resonated deeply with many across South Africa. The story of her daughter’s last moments has struck a chord with parents and families everywhere, reinforcing the urgency of community safety and justice for the innocent lives lost.

Police Appeal for Vigilance

Lieutenant General Mthombeni, in addressing the community, reiterated the importance of being vigilant about whom property owners rent out their spaces to, especially when it comes to verifying legal status. He emphasized that this tragic incident serves as a wake-up call for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent such crimes in the future.

As Gauteng police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Amantle’s murder, Simiao remains in custody awaiting formal charges. His arrest is a significant step towards seeking justice for the six-year-old victim and providing some measure of closure for her grieving family.

The heartbreaking story of Amantle Samane has captured the nation’s attention, highlighting ongoing challenges in protecting vulnerable communities and the urgent need for accountability in cases of negligence and violence.