The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has handed down a chilling verdict in a case that stunned both the local community and the wider public. Amber Lee Hughes, a 25-year-old preschool teacher, was found guilty of the premeditated murder and rape of her four-year-old stepdaughter, Nada-Jane Challita.
The crime that shook Glenvista
The case dates back to January 2023, when police discovered the child’s lifeless body floating in a bathtub at the family’s Glenvista home. Hughes had been in a relationship with the girl’s father since 2021 and had moved in with the family, where tensions were said to run high.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Hughes’ relationship with the child’s father was marked by frequent arguments, during which she allegedly threatened to harm Nada-Jane. On the day of the tragedy, the father left his daughter in Hughes’ care—a decision that ended in horror.
Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the NPA, explained that Hughes assaulted the child with an unknown object, before drowning her in the bathtub and cutting both her wrists.
Hughes’ shifting defence
Hughes initially pleaded not guilty, forcing the state to build a detailed case against her. But as the trial progressed, she admitted to drowning the child, citing an emotional breakdown triggered by a dispute over her partner’s alleged infidelity.
She also told the court she suffered from borderline personality disorder and had attempted suicide multiple times after the incident. While acknowledging responsibility for the killing, Hughes denied any involvement in the sexual assault, insisting she had no knowledge of how the child sustained vaginal injuries.
Forensic evidence seals the case
The court, however, found the evidence against Hughes compelling. A forensic pathologist testified that Nada-Jane had a fresh wound on her genital area, consistent with penetration by a small object, inflicted shortly before death.
The court ruled that while the state had not proven anal penetration, the vaginal injuries were undeniable and, given Hughes’ admission that she was the only adult present at the time, it concluded she was responsible. This evidence secured her conviction on both murder and rape charges.
A verdict with weight
The conviction of Hughes brings a measure of closure to a deeply disturbing case that highlighted issues of child safety, intimate partner conflict, and the devastating impact of violence within households.
The case has been postponed to 27 October 2025 for pre-sentencing proceedings. At that stage, both aggravating and mitigating factors will be presented before the court determines Hughes’ sentence.
While the justice system has delivered its verdict, the tragedy of a child’s life lost under such circumstances remains a painful reminder of the need for vigilance, accountability, and stronger protection for South Africa’s most vulnerable.
