Amber Lee Hughes found guilty of rape and murder. Image: ENCA
(The Post News)- A former preschool teacher, Amber-Lee Hughes who confessed to drowning her ex-partner’s four-year-old daughter, has been found guilty of rape and murder.
On Thursday, 28 August 2025, Hughes appeared in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, where Judge Richard Mkhabela delivered the verdict.
Hughes was taken into custody in 2023 over the death of her stepdaughter, four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita. She was charged with one count of murder and two counts of rape after drowning the child in the bathtub of the apartment she shared with the girl’s father, Elie Chalita.
Preliminary reports that Hughes pleaded not guilty throught out the trial, but she later admitted to killing Nada-Jane following an emotionally charged dispute with Challita over his infidelity.
During the trial, Mkhabela noted that the suspects confession removed the need to consider evidence on whether the child’s drowning was accidental. “The accused’s latest confessions… is an admission that she drowned the deceased by sitting on top of her and further that the drowning caused the deceased’s death,” said Mkhabela.
Mkhabela also highlighted that Hughes late admission conflicted with the scientific and medical findings of forensic pathologist Dr. Hestelle van Staden, who performed the post-mortem. He further stated that the admission fulfilled all the elements required to constitute murder.
According to the judge Hughes’ continued to denia the rape charges before finding her guilty on two counts, one each for rape and murder.
Hughes lawyer ask for a postponement
Reports indicate that after the verdict, Hughes lawyer, Marius Bouwer, asked for a postponement to give the defence time to prepare for sentencing. Prosecutor Rolene Barnard confirmed that both sides had agreed on a date, noting the defence was still waiting for a social worker’s report.
She also requested a deadline for all reports to be submitted to the state and court, adding that she intended to file a victim-impact report and call expert witnesses.
Judge Mkhabela then postponed the matter to 27 October for sentencing.
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