By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has convicted Amber Lee Hughes for raping and murdering four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita.
Hughes, a former school teacher, confessed to murdering her now ex-boyfriend’s daughter, Chalita in 2023.
In her admission statement, Hughes spelled out how she filled a bath of cold water and sat on the four-year-old until she stopped breathing.
Hughes developed a romantic relationship with the girl’s father in 2021, and she moved in with them. During her stay, their relationship was reportedly marked by frequent altercations.
During proceedings, Judge Richard Mkhabela stated that Hughes’ admission made it unnecessary to review the evidence presented on whether the child’s drowning had been accidental.
“The accused’s latest admissions… is an admission that she drowned the deceased by sitting on top of her, and further that the drowning caused the deceased’s death.”
Mkhabela noted that Hughes’ “belated admission is incongruent with the scientific and medical evidence” presented by forensic pathologist Dr Hestelle van Stadan, who conducted the post-mortem examination.
“The said admissions meet all the elements of murder,” he added.
The judge highlighted Hughes’ continued denial of the rape charges before ultimately finding her guilty on two counts, one each for rape and murder.
Following the verdict, Hughes’ lawyer, Marius Bouwer, requested a postponement to allow the defence time to prepare for sentencing proceedings.
State prosecutor Rolene Barnard confirmed an agreement on a sentencing date and explained that the defence was still awaiting a report from a social worker.
“May I request that we set a specific date for the reports so they can be furnished to the state and the court before?” Barnard told the judge.
She further indicated plans to submit a victim-impact report and present expert evidence.
“I will lead oral evidence,” Barnard said.
Judge Mkhabela postponed the case to 27 October for sentencing.
Speaking to the media after the ruling, the father said he was relieved the judgment had finally been delivered following a two-month delay.
“Thank God today we had progress,” he said.
He welcomed the guilty verdict but admitted he was dissatisfied with the court’s decision not to uphold the rape count, describing the outcome as “two-thirds closure”.