By BAKANG MOKOTO
24 July 2025- A preschool teacher, Amber Lee Hughes (25), charged with two counts of rape and murder of her learner and stepdaughter, Nada-Jane Challita(4), submitted supplementary admissions at the Gauteng High Court siting in Johannesburg. The admissions were made after the merits of the case had already been fully argued by both the State and the defence and following her changing legal representation.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane said in her admissions, Hughes confessed to drowning the four-year-old after an emotionally charged dispute with the child’s father over his infidelity. Mjonondwane further said Hughes stated that she was suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder at the time, but maintained she was fully aware of her actions and she detailed multiple unsuccessful suicide attempts following the incident.
“However, the accused denied the rape charges, claiming she had no knowledge of those allegations. The case has been postponed to 7 August 2025, for closing arguments on the admissions. The accused remains in custody until her next court appearance,” she added.
The Guardian 