‘You Can’t Cry After Such Crimes’: Mother of Amantle Samane Confronts Her Child’s Killer

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg may have closed the legal chapter of Amantle Samane’s tragic death, but for her mother, Ntombizodwa, the wound remains raw.

This week, 25-year-old Mozambican national, Pethe Sara Simiao, was sentenced to two life terms after pleading guilty to the kidnapping, rape, and murder of six-year-old Amantle in October 2024. He also admitted to violating South Africa’s Immigration Act. The court heard how Simiao strangled the child in an attempt to cover up the rape, later telling authorities that he had been under the influence of alcohol.

A mother’s relief, and her unanswered questions

Outside the courtroom, Ntombizodwa Samane fought back tears as she spoke about the judgment.

“I am pleased. Even though my child will never come back,” she said quietly, her voice heavy with both relief and pain. “Justice was served, now my child will be able to rest peacefully.”

Still, her relief came with lingering questions. “I wanted to know what pushed him because no one just commits such offences like he did. I’m left with question marks. I don’t think I have gotten closure even though he received two life sentences.”

Her words echo a broader frustration shared by many South African parents who feel their children remain vulnerable to senseless violence.

‘Enough is enough’

Like so many families who have lost children to brutal crimes, Ntombizodwa expressed anger at the wider crisis of child abuse in South Africa.

“Enough is enough. Many children in South Africa have died at the hands of men,” she said, her voice rising.

She remembered Amantle not just as a victim, but as a child who filled their home with laughter. “It was never quiet in the house when she was there,” she recalled fondly. Fierce and protective by nature, Ntombizodwa had hoped her daughter would grow up to defend her younger sibling.

Courtroom tears and a mother’s fury

During sentencing, Simiao appeared to cry, resting his head on his arm in the dock. To Ntombizodwa, the display felt hollow.

“You can’t commit such crimes and then cry afterwards,” she told reporters. She admitted she had to restrain herself from confronting him physically. “I had to keep my composure because I do not have the strength.”

Public outrage and calls for change

On social media, the case has reignited discussions about gender-based violence and child safety in South Africa. Many users expressed solidarity with Ntombizodwa, praising her strength and demanding tougher measures to protect children.

Child rights activists have long argued that harsher sentencing, while important, is not enough. They are calling for stronger community safety nets, education campaigns, and proactive policing to prevent such crimes before they happen.

A story that should never have been told

Amantle’s story is not just another court case; it is a reminder of the fragility of childhood in a country where too many lives are cut short by violence. While justice has been delivered in the courtroom, Ntombizodwa’s words highlight the deeper truth: closure is far more difficult to come by when the questions remain unanswered.

Her message to other men who prey on children was simple but resolute: “Maybe this case will stop others from doing the same.”