Johannesburg – Former preschool teacher Amber-Lee Hughes has been convicted of rape and murder in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg.
Hughes, who was arrested in 2023, admitted to drowning her ex-partner’s four-year-old stepdaughter, Nada-Jane Challita, during a dispute over her partner’s infidelity.
Although she denied the rape charges, the court found her guilty of two counts of rape and one count of murder.
The High Court in Johannesburg has found Amber Lee Hughes guilty of the vaginal rape and premeditated murder of 4-year-old, Nada-Jane Challita. Last month, Hughes admitted to drowning the child, but denied the rape charges. #eNCA #DStv403 #QuestionThinkAct pic.twitter.com/9VdDno8fpV
— eNCA (@eNCA) August 28, 2025
Hughes claimed to have borderline personality disorder at the time but was aware of her actions.
Judge Richard Mkhabela ruled her confession met the criteria for murder and rejected her denial of the rape allegations.
The sentencing hearing has been postponed to October 27 to allow preparation, with victim-impact and expert reports to be submitted.
The High Court in Johannesburg is handing down judgment in the Amber Lee Hughes murder trial. The former pre-school teacher is accused of the rape and murder of her ex-boyfriend’s 4-year-old daughter, Nada-Jane Challita, in 2023. #eNCA #DStv403 #NewsLink pic.twitter.com/9iyrBH8k55
— eNCA (@eNCA) August 28, 2025
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
