Murder-accused Amber Lee Hughes' legal reps to submit heads of argument next week
On Thursday, the Johannesburg High Court heard several new admissions from Hughes concerning the murder of four-year-old Nada Jane Chalita, her ex-partner’s daughter.
Former preschool teacher, Amber Lee Hughes, made an appearance in the Johannesburg High Court on 24 July 2025 for the murder of 4-year-old Nada-Jane Chalita. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The State has confirmed that the murder and rape accused preschool teacher Amber Lee Hughes’ legal representatives will submit their heads of argument on charges not admitted next week.
On Thursday, the Johannesburg High Court heard several new admissions from Hughes concerning the murder of four-year-old Nada Jane Challita, her ex-partner’s daughter.
Hughes, who was romantically involved with the child’s father before her death, admitted to drowning the child in a bathtub in 2023.
The 25-year-old has maintained that she did not rape the child.
The State’s advocate, Rolene Barnard, said: "May I request then, as per agreement, that the matter be postponed to the 7th of August in order to deal with the supplementary submissions in respect of the charges not admitted? I can also confirm that the defence counsel will submit supplementary heads of argument on the remainder of the charges on the 29th of July, that is, Tuesday. The State will reply, if necessary, by the 1st of August."