Key events in the Amber Lee Hughes case – From arrest to guilty verdict in murder of Nada-Jane

The trial of Amber Lee Hughes, who was convicted of the rape and murder of four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita, has gripped South Africa. From shocking courtroom admissions to the final guilty verdict, here is a timeline of the key moments in the case.

January 23, 2023 - The crime

Four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita is found dead in a bathtub; her father's then girlfriend, Amber Lee Hughes is later charged with rape and murder.

She pleads not guilty to the charges.

24 Jul 2025 - Judgment initially expected

The High Court signals a verdict is expected in the Hughes matter.

Hughes admits drowning Nada-Jane

Before judgment is announced, Hughes admits to drowning her ex-partner’s daughter.

Hughes' legal team reveals that she initially pleaded not guilty after being advised she wouldn't be convicted

Mental-health claim surfaces

Hughes claimed in court that she was suffering from borderline personality disorder on the day she killed Nada-Jane. This mental-health defense was introduced to provide context for her actions.

Family reaction

Nada-Jane’s father, Elie Challita, expressed relief at learning the truth about his daughter’s death following Hughes’s confession.

Case timetable reset

The Johannesburg High Court then directed Hughes’s legal team to file heads of argument the following week, resetting the case timetable to accommodate further legal submissions. This move ensured that both the defense and prosecution had adequate time to prepare their final arguments

25 Jul 2025 - Closing arguments commence
The matter returned to court for closing arguments where both sides presented their final submissions. The arguments focused on the evidence presented and the legal interpretations of Hughes’s actions.

7 Aug 2025 - Defence pushback

The defense team argued that there was no evidence of premeditation in Nada-Jane’s killing. They maintained that Hughes did not plan the murder, seeking to reduce the severity of the charges. The court questioned Hughes’s credibility due to her prior false testimony under oath, while the state clarified its position on the rape counts, emphasizing the strength of their case.

28 Aug 2025 - Verdict day set
The Johannesburg High Court officially scheduled the judgment day for the Hughes trial.

Guilty verdict
Hughes was found guilty of the premeditated murder and rape of Nada-Jane Challita. The High Court delivered the verdict, concluding that the prosecution had proven Hughes’s intent and actions beyond reasonable doubt.

Father’s post-verdict response
Following the guilty verdict, Elie Challita, Nada-Jane’s father, expressed that no sentence could bring his daughter back.

'Tricks in the book': Elie Challita reacts as Amber-Lee Hughes prepares to testify

The father of slain four-year-old Nada Jane Challita says he has no interest in hearing what his child’s murderer has to say in court.

Elie Challita said after court proceedings on Monday that he would not be surprised if sentencing takes more than a year to conclude.

“I think I told you before, I said if there’s any trick in the book, you’re going to see literally every single trick in the book. And that’s it. I wasn’t lying to you. But there’s a deadline for all this. That’s the only positive thing; there’s a deadline for all this. We are making progress slowly but surely, but it’s happening.”

Judge voices concern as sentencing in Nada Jane Challita murder case postponed again

Frustration is mounting in the sentencing phase of convicted child killer Amber Lee Hughes, as prosecutors blame her for ongoing delays.

Hughes was expected to take the stand at the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday to present evidence in mitigation of sentence. However, the matter was again postponed.

Despite expressing concern about further delays, Judge Mkhabela granted the postponement.

“Justice demands that this case be finalised. Accordingly, with a heavy heart, I agree to the request to stand the matter down until tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock,” he said.