There was a sigh of relief at the Protea Magistrate's Court in Soweto when the man accused of raping and killing Amantle Samane abandoned his bail application. Angry Orlando East residents had previously offered to pay for his bail, seeking revenge for what they said is a gruesome act of terror he put Samane's family through.

ABANDONING BAIL 

Phethe Sara Simiao (24) was today represented by a new legal team that presented themselves before the court before announcing their instructions from the accused of his intention to abandon bail. Today's matter was set for a bail application. "Your worship, it is my instruction that the accused will not proceed with his formal bail application and we are abandoning bail at this stage," said Simiao's defence, Ndivhuwo Masindi.

STATE READY TO PROCEED

The state prosecutor in the matter, Thapelo Mohapi, told the court that investigations have been finalised. "Your worship, the investigations in this matter have been finalised; however, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) instructions are still outstanding regarding a report; therefore, we ask that the matter be remanded for DPP instructions," he said. The magistrate, David Mahago, confirmed the postponement of the matter. "The matter will be heard in this court on 27 January 2025 for DPP instructions. The accused will remain in custody until his next court date," he said. During the last appearance, Mahago ordered that the accused be taken to the hospital and kept in solitary confinement following claims that he was assaulted by prison wardens. Amantle was allegedly raped and murdered on 21 October in Simiao's shack, two streets away from her home. The Mozambican national who is in the country illegally allegedly abducted the six-year-old girl from the street and her body was later discovered in the accused's shack.