Sentencing in the case of Amber Lee Hughes, convicted of rape and premeditated murder, has been postponed to tomorrow, reports the Alberton Record.

The case relates to the death of four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita in January 2023 at her Mulbarton home.

The child had been left in Hughes’ care at the time of the incident.

The matter was heard in the Johannesburg High Court today.

@southern.courier

Sentencing in the case of Amber Lee Hughes, convicted of rape and premeditated murder, has been postponed to tomorrow. The defence requested the delay, saying the accused could not be properly consulted regarding electronic evidence. Full story on southerncourier.co.za

♬ original sound – Southern Courier

The defence requested the delay, saying the accused could not be properly consulted regarding electronic evidence.

Marius Bouwer, Hughes’ defence attorney, told the court he intended to call the accused but requested the case be postponed to allow proper consultation. He said he wanted to pursue electronic evidence with Hughes before proceedings continue.

Prison conditions under scrutiny

During proceedings under Act 186 of the Criminal Procedure Act  51 of 1977, the court called on Daphne Khensani Makhubele, head of the Johannesburg Prison’s female section, to address prison conditions.

@southern.courier

During proceedings under Act 186 of the Criminal Procedure Act, the court called on Daphne Khensani Makhubele, head of the Johannesburg Prison's female section, to address prison conditions. Khensani Makhubele said the facility, built for 711 inmates, currently holds 1 423, including 24 babies, reflecting an overcrowding rate of 200 %. Full story on southerncourier.co.za

♬ original sound – Southern Courier

Khensani Makhubele said the facility, built for 711 inmates, currently holds 1 423, including 24 babies, reflecting an overcrowding rate of 200 %.

She confirmed the prison has had only one permanent psychologist since 2001, with occasional additional support through community service. Despite overcrowding, the centre strives to meet basic needs such as healthcare, accommodation, and education while treating inmates humanely.

Father speaks on justice and delays

Outside court, Elie Challita, father of the deceased, Nada-Jane, spoke openly about the long wait for justice.

@southern.courier

Outside court, Elie Challita, father of the deceased, Nada-Jane, spoke openly about the long wait for justice. “We are going through progress, slowly but surely, but it is happening,” he said. Full story on southerncouroer.co.za

♬ original sound – Southern Courier

“We are going through progress, slowly but surely, but it is happening,” he said.

Challita warned that further delays are likely, saying the process could take another year or more.

“We must expect everything literally. If there are more tricks in the book, expect to see them one after the other until the book runs out of tricks,” he said.

‘No remorse, no words can heal‘

Challita reflected on the emotional toll of the case.

“I’ve been here from the very beginning. You might have forgotten, but this is about my child. I will never leave this until I see it through. That’s the least I can do,” he added.

He also dismissed the idea of hearing an apology from Hughes.

“There’s no remorse here. She has two faces: one for the court and the public, and another for me, Amy, and our family. She has nothing to say to us that could make us feel better. Even a full admission wouldn’t change that. I am not interested in anything she has to say. There’s nothing she could say that could make this right,” he said.

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