The case against Amber Lee Hughes, accused of raping and murdering four-year-old Nada-Jane Therese Challita, has been postponed to August 28 for judgment.

This follows Hughes’ dramatic admission in court on July 24, where she confessed to drowning Nada-Jane by sitting on her, causing the child to be submerged in water.

The incident occurred in Mulbarton on January 23, 2023.

@southern.courierThe case against Amber Lee Hughes, accused of murdering four-year-old Nada-Jane Therese Challita, has been postponed to August 28 for judgment. This follows Hughes’ dramatic admission in court on July 24, where she confessed to drowning Nada-Jane by sitting on her, causing the child to be submerged in water. The incident occurred in Mulbarton on January 23, 2023.♬ original sound – Southern Courier

During proceedings at the Johannesburg High Court on August 7, Judge Richard Mkhabela postponed the matter for judgment.

Hughes’ defence attorney, Marius Bouwer, told the court there was testimony from Howard Hughes, who stated that someone was performing CPR on the child, and he took over because he believed it was being done incorrectly.

@southern.courier Hughes’ defence attorney, Marius Bouwer, told the court there was testimony from Howard Hughes, who stated that someone was performing CPR on the child, and he took over because he believed it was being done incorrectly. #AmberLeeHughes ♬ original sound – Southern Courier

State confident in evidence for both charges

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the state has asked the court to deliver a guilty verdict on both premeditated murder and rape charges.

@southern.courierState confident in evidence for both charges National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the state has asked the court to deliver a guilty verdict on both premeditated murder and rape charges. “We pleaded with the court to return a guilty verdict and to consider the full body of evidence submitted. We believe we have sufficient evidence to prove both charges, including the charge of rape,” said Mjonondwane. She added that the defence had every opportunity to reopen its case or call additional witnesses but instead chose to submit supplementary admissions. “Now that all arguments have been heard, the matter has been set down for judgment,” she said.♬ original sound – Southern Courier

“We pleaded with the court to return a guilty verdict and to consider the full body of evidence submitted. We believe we have sufficient evidence to prove both charges, including the charge of rape,” said Mjonondwane.

She added that the defence had every opportunity to reopen its case or call additional witnesses but instead chose to submit supplementary admissions.

“Now that all arguments have been heard, the matter has been set down for judgment,” she said.

“Their road is getting narrower,” a grieving father speaks out

Elie Challita, father of the deceased Nada-Jane, said he was not surprised by how events unfolded in court.

@southern.courierTheir road is getting narrower,” a grieving father speaks out Elie Challita, father of the deceased Nada-Jane, said he was not surprised by how events unfolded in court. “Most of what I said would happen last time happened today,” he said. “They’ve tried every loophole to avoid this point, but they couldn’t. Their road is getting narrower, and they’re running out of options.”♬ original sound – Southern Courier

“Most of what I said would happen last time happened today,” he said.

“They’ve tried every loophole to avoid this point, but they couldn’t. Their road is getting narrower, and they’re running out of options.”

Asked whether the family found any closure from hearing the details in court, Nada-Jane’s heartbroken mother couldn’t respond and left emotional.

Elie continued: “How could someone be satisfied hearing their child was raped and murdered? The bigger picture is being missed here. I’m not here for the news or to debate when her heart stopped. She admitted she had drowned her. That’s how my daughter died.

“There’s no satisfaction in that. But there is a sense of reconciliation when the truth is known because I already know it.”

VIDEO: Amber Lee Hughes admits to drowning Nada-Jane