State Challenges Amber Lee Hughes’ Testimony As Sentencing Nears In Nada Jane Challita Murder Case

The State has flagged what it calls multiple contradictions in the evidence of self-confessed killer Amber Lee Hughes as the rape and murder case of four-year-old Nada Jane Challita moves closer to sentencing.

Hughes returned to the witness stand at the Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday for further cross-examination.

The 26-year-old was found guilty of raping and murdering Nada, the daughter of her former partner, Elie Challita, while the child was in her care in 2023.

Prosecutor Highlights Alleged Contradictions in Amber Lee Hughes’ Evidence

Earlier this week, Hughes told the court she had drowned the child and later attempted to take her own life. She said she had been pushed to this point by alleged abuse from her former partner.

She testified that she believed she had given up everything for Challita and his daughter. According to Hughes, leaving the relationship would have meant abandoning the child to what she described as possible neglect in her father’s care.

However, prosecutor Rolene Barnard challenged this narrative, questioning whether Hughes’ actions could genuinely be considered in the child’s best interests.

Barnard read a text message sent by Hughes to Challita: “If she asks me and my assistant, we will have nothing but positive things to say about you, my love heart emoji. Do you agree with that? Do you still stand by that?”

Barnard argued that the message conflicted with Hughes’ claims of abuse within the relationship.

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Responding to the State’s challenge, Hughes said: “He was still a parent of one of my pupils, so I wouldn’t have discussed any of the matters that were happening at the school with him, especially in regard to welfare being involved.”

Barnard also pressed Hughes on her assertions that Nada had been living in unsafe conditions. The prosecutor told the court that evidence suggested Hughes only voiced concerns about the child’s welfare following disputes with Challita.

The court further heard a message Challita sent to Hughes after she published his personal details and damaging allegations about him on Facebook.

Barnard read the message aloud: “Every time you’re not feeling well, I have to pay for it with my life, my peace, with mine and my child’s safety and well-being. Only to find out that you have been stealing from me and my child since the day you entered my house.”

Barnard told the court the series of messages indicated that whenever Hughes was unhappy, there were repercussions for Challita and his daughter.

Court Postpones Matter as Defence Seeks Time to Address Text Messages

As the cross-examination concluded, Hughes’ defence team asked for a postponement to consult with her regarding the context of the messages presented in court.

The court questioned the necessity of the request, noting that Hughes had not disputed the authenticity of the texts and that they had already been admitted as evidence.

“I think it’s fair for Ms. Barnard to agree to your request to concede on these messages. But I don’t think it should go further that, you should consult to set the context. You can ask cases under oath during re-examination to place the context,” said presiding judge Richard Makhabela.

The matter was postponed to Friday, when the defence is expected to re-examine Hughes as sentencing proceedings draw nearer.