Court questions how Amber Lee Hughes’ defence obtained confidential records

The Johannesburg High Court has questioned whether convicted child killer, Amber Lee Hughes‘, defence team unlawfully obtained confidential Children’s Court records, as arguments over what allegedly triggered the murder of four-year-old, Nada Jane Challita, came under intense scrutiny.

The issue arose during the cross-examination of Nada’s father, Elie Challita, who returned to court on Friday following an emotional victim-impact statement detailing the lasting trauma suffered by his family.

Judge, Richard Mkhabela, questioned how Hughes’ defence came into possession of privileged Children’s Court records relating to Challita and the child’s mother without a court order.

The judge cautioned the defence against using the records to challenge Challita’s credibility, raising concerns about how the information had been obtained.

Despite the confrontation, Challita maintained that his daughter was properly cared for before her death and rejected allegations of severe neglect.

The defence also attempted to link Hughes’ actions to Challita’s alleged hydroponic cannabis operation, with lawyer, Marius Bower, suggesting that Hughes believed she could not leave Nada in her father’s care.

But Judge Mkhabela questioned the basis for the argument, pointing out that no psychological expert had testified to support claims about Hughes’ mental state or what may have triggered the killing.

The court also heard more about the volatile relationship between Hughes and Challita, including allegations of infidelity, repeated break-ups and bitter exchanges.

Challita admitted that he once spat at Hughes during an argument and was confronted with messages in which he referred to her as a “psychopath”.

He told the court the description was made in anger and maintained that Hughes had repeatedly manipulated him into returning to their relationship.

Hughes, a former preschool teacher, was convicted in January 2023 of the rape and premeditated murder of Nada.

She later confessed to drowning the four-year-old in a bathtub, telling the court she believed killing the child was the only way to “save” her.

She had also claimed that discovering WhatsApp messages which she believed showed Challita attempting to solicit prostitutes contributed to her emotional state at the time.

Hughes remains in custody pending sentencing.

The sentencing proceedings have been postponed to 16 September and will continue until 18 September, when evidence in aggravation of sentence is expected to resume.

HAPPENING: The JHB High Court has admonished Amber Lee Hughes’ defence team over its possession of confidential Children’s Court records allegedly obtained without a court order.

Hughes was convicted of raping and murdering 4-year-old Nada Jane Challita in 2023.#YNews pic.twitter.com/PsrHkLv0v1

— Ndashe (@ndasheii) August 28, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe