'Our lives are on hold': Family speaks out on delays in child's murder case

The bereaved family of 4-year-old Nada Jane Challita says their lives have been put on hold due to the continuous delays in their child’s murder case.

Challita was killed in the apartment that she lived in with her father and his former partner, Amber Lee Hughes, in 2023.

Hughes, who was convicted for the child’s murder and rape, made her brief appearance at the Johannesburg High Court for her sentencing proceedings on Wednesday.

But the matter was postponed to 19 June due to logistical issues.

The visibly distraught father, Ellie Challita, somberly shared that they are frustrated and tired of all the delays they have faced.

The case has been going on for more than 3 years and has met many stalemates along the way.

Ellie Challita said this is not an easy fit for them, having to see the woman who has caused them deep pain seems so unbothered by what she has done

“We still have to come and see her smiling, like you all saw today and every time. Copy-paste, you all see copy-paste repetition of everything I've been saying.”

He adds that they cannot move on from this tragic chapter of their lives with the many setbacks they are facing.

“Our life is still on hold, and every time we get promised that we're going to have some progress, there's no such thing. You can see, we just keep postponing and postponing, regardless what's the reason.”

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