Logistical delays stall sentencing in Hughes murder case

Logistical delays stall sentencing in Hughes murder case

Logistical challenges have delayed sentencing proceedings in the murder trial of four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. The court had been expected to hear testimony from the child’s father, Elie Challita, as part of evidence in aggravation of sentence against convicted killer Amber Lee Hughes - a key stage that could influence the punishment Hughes ultimately receives. However, proceedings could not continue as planned on Thursday […]

March 12, 2026 32

News

Amber Lee Hughes’ credibility challenged after admitting to lying during trial

Disclaimer: This article contains graphic details and may be distressing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. Presiding Judge, Richard Mkhabela, openly challenged the credibility of convicted child killer Amber Lee Hughes during her sentencing at the Johannesburg High Court on Friday, after the 27-year-old admitted under oath that she had lied during her trial. Hughes, convicted of premeditated murder and rape for the drowning of 4-year-old Nada-Jane Challita in […]

February 20, 2026 114

News

Convicted child killer claims fear, denies romance as State exposes contradictions

Convicted child killer, Amber Lee Hughes, has told the Johannesburg High Court that she feared for her life and believed her ex-boyfriend, Elie Challita, could pay someone to have her killed, as the State intensified cross-examination during her sentencing proceedings. Hughes, who turned 27 on Thursday, returned to the witness stand where prosecutors challenged her claims of abuse and neglect and confronted her with WhatsApp messages, and highlighted contradictions in […]

February 19, 2026 91