Mozambican Man Arrested For Rape And Murder Of Six-Year-Old Soweto Girl

National police have confirmed that a Mozambican man was arrested, in connection with the rape and murder of a young girl in Soweto.

The body of six-year-old Amantle Samane was discovered on Monday in the room rented by the suspect in Orlando, Soweto.

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Arrest of the Suspect

Athlenda Mathe, the police spokesperson, confirmed via social media that the suspect, identified as Pethe Simiao, was apprehended during the night.

Reports indicate that Simiao had disappeared since authorities discovered Samane’s body, intensifying the urgency to locate him.

Community Response and Support

The mother of the victim, Ntobizodwa Samane, recounted the frantic hours spent searching for her daughter. She expressed her anguish at not knowing the whereabouts of little Amantle.

“I went to the kids I last saw her playing with, and they told me they don’t know where she is. I went knocking at every home where I know there was a young child, and I still didn’t find her. I then decided to check where her father lives, thinking that maybe she went to him, just three streets away from here. Still, she was not there.

“I went to my aunt’s house thinking maybe she was there. Then two kids came and told me they last saw her sitting at the corner. I went back home to get a jersey, but before I even entered the house, a teenage boy approached me and told me they had found Amantle.”

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As law enforcement continues the investigation, Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Tommy Mtombeni is expected to provide further details in a media briefing today, reassuring the public that every effort will be made to bring the responsible party to justice.

[ARRESTED] SAPS takes this opportunity to thank the people of SA including the community of Soweto, journalists, media houses and all social media users for assisting the SAPS to track down Pethe Simiao who is wanted for the rape & murder of a six year old girl in Soweto on 21OCT pic.twitter.com/VxxON0BN3U

— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) October 24, 2024