The murder case against Amber Lee Hughes, convicted of killing her ex-boyfriend's four-year-old daughter, has been postponed to February 16, 2026. The defence requested additional time to re-examine evidence in the High Court in Johannesburg. Hughes remains in custody amid ongoing proceedings.
Amber Lee Hughes confessed to drowning Nada-Jane Challita, the four-year-old daughter of her ex-boyfriend Elie Challita, in a bathtub in 2023. She was convicted of premeditated murder and rape in August, though she pleaded not guilty to the rape charge. The High Court in Johannesburg postponed the case to February 16, 2026, after the defence sought more time to review evidence.
Nada-Jane's parents had agreed to co-parent amicably while her mother, Amy Johnston, received treatment for mental health issues. They expressed devastation over losing the chance to raise their daughter. Johnston shared her grief, stating, “Nada had a mother that really tried to her best to get better mentally to look after her and having made that sacrifice of leaving her in order to get better, thinking that you are going to come back and raise your child to the best of your ability only for her to be taken away because of selfish reasons is absolutely heart-breaking and I will never forgive.”
The court heard that Hughes developed borderline personality disorder from a toxic upbringing, affecting her emotional control. Social worker Johanna Wolmarans testified, “She cannot deal with frustration and anger as she does not have the skills to direct her anger towards the cause of the anger. This was anger built up the whole day. She walked past and saw the little one in the bath and only then she acted impulsively, got up and put her head under the water and sat on her, which then the court found her to be guilty of premeditated murder.”
Challita noted Hughes' growing jealousy toward his bond with Nada-Jane days before the incident. He said, “I made a decision during that time and on the day of the incident, I phoned Amy and told her I can never carry on with Amber. However, I cannot promise you that we are going to get back together, but I want you to come back and look after your child.”
Hughes will stay in custody until the next court date.