Johannesburg High Court set to hand down verdict in murder case against Amber Lee Hughes

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JOHANNESBURG - The high court in Johannesburg is expected to hand down its verdict in the case of self-confessed killer, Amber Lee Hughes.

Hughes has been in custody for two years now, for the rape and murder of her ex-partner's child, Nada-Jane Challita.

The four-year-old girl was discovered in a bathtub filled with water after the former preschool teacher drowned her in 2023.

During Amber Lee Hughes's last appearance, the court questioned the validity of her testimony after the 25-year-old’s shocking admission of guilt to murder.

Judge Richard Mkhabela stressed that Hughes had lied under oath and not only wasted the court’s time but also caused Challita’s family unnecessary trauma.

Hughes's legal team had maintained that the self-confessed killer intended to plead guilty for the little girl’s death, but not for rape. 

The State, however, argued that Hughes had committed the second count of vaginal rape but not the first count, which was anal.