KEY POINTS
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The man accused of kidnapping, raping, and murdering six-year-old Amantle Semane will face trial on July 31, 2025.
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He has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of contravening the Immigration Act, but not yet to the main charges.
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The case has triggered widespread outrage and renewed calls for greater child protection measures in South Africa.
The trial of a 30-year-old man accused of the kidnapping, rape, and murder of six-year-old Amantle Semane has been postponed until July 31, 2025.
The case, which has horrified the community of Orlando West in Soweto, resumed briefly on Tuesday at the Johannesburg High Court, where the accused also faces charges of contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act.
The horrific crime occurred in October 2024, when young Amantle was reported missing by her mother. The child’s disappearance prompted an immediate community-wide search. Witnesses later told investigators they had seen the accused walking with Amantle earlier that day, despite no known relationship between the two.
“A witness allegedly reported having seen the accused walking with the child earlier that day and grew suspicious, as the two were not known to be related,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
Two days later, the child’s lifeless and partially unclothed body was discovered inside a shack in the area. The accused was arrested shortly afterward on October 23 in Zola, a neighboring township.
According to the NPA, a pre-trial conference between the state and defense was held, during which the accused agreed to plead guilty to one of the four charges: contravening the Immigration Act. However, he has not yet entered a plea regarding the more severe allegations of rape, kidnapping, and murder.
Community members gathered outside the courtroom on Tuesday, many expressing frustration at the delay in proceedings but also hope that the legal system will ultimately hold the perpetrator accountable.
Court prepares for high-profile Amantle trial
The court’s postponement is intended to allow legal teams to prepare for a full trial, including the submission of further evidence, witness testimonies, and official court-sanctioned psychiatric evaluations of the accused if required.
The accused’s immigration status may complicate the proceedings further. His agreement to plead guilty on that count suggests he may have been residing in South Africa unlawfully at the time of the crime.
The shack where Amantle’s body was found has since become a grim reminder of the trauma inflicted on her family and the broader Orlando West community.
Residents have continued to hold vigils in her memory, calling for stronger protections for vulnerable children and stricter penalties for perpetrators of sexual and violent crimes.
Sowetanlive reports that Child rights organisations have also weighed in on the case, urging authorities to ensure a transparent trial and to provide psychological support for the victim’s family throughout the process.
The July hearing is expected to focus on the accused’s pleas on the remaining charges and may determine the timeline for the trial’s commencement. If found guilty, the accused could face life imprisonment for the charges of rape and murder under South African law.
