The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg is expected to deliver sentencing in the disturbing case of Amber Lee-Hughes, who was found guilty of raping and murdering 4-year-old Nada-Jane Chalita, the daughter of her former boyfriend.
In August, the court found Hughes guilty of both charges, concluding a trial that revealed chilling details of the child’s final moments. The young girl was discovered drowned in a bathtub at her home in 2023, a scene prosecutors described as both “cruel and calculated.”
The case has shaken the nation, with many calling it one of South Africa’s most harrowing examples of domestic violence and child abuse. During the trial, the court heard that Hughes had targeted the child as part of a twisted act of revenge against her ex-partner.
Nada-Jane’s father, who attended every day of the proceedings, said while he welcomes the guilty verdict, no sentence can heal the pain of losing his daughter. “Nothing the court decides today can bring her back. All I want is justice for my little girl,” he told reporters outside the courthouse.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed it will seek the harshest possible penalty, citing the brutality of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim. Legal experts say the sentencing will test the justice system’s resolve in protecting children from violent crimes.
Public reaction to the case has been intense, with advocacy groups urging government to introduce stricter sentences for crimes involving minors. Online, the hashtag #JusticeForNadaJane continues to trend as South Africans express outrage and grief.
As the court prepares to hand down its decision, the nation watches closely—awaiting a sentence that many hope will send a clear message: violence against children will not be tolerated.
