Amber Lee Hughes Confesses to Murdering 4-Year-Old Nada-Jane Challita, South Africans Outraged
- Amber Lee Hughes has finally revealed what happened to four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita on 23 January 2023
- The pre-school teacher was charged with the murder and rape of the toddler, who was the daughter of Hughes' boyfriend
- South Africans shared their thoughts on Hughes' admissions, with many calling for the death penalty to be brought back
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Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG - In a surprising turn of events that has left South Africans outraged, Amber Lee Hughes has confessed to killing Nada-Jane Challita.
The four-year-old was found drowned in a bathtub in Hughes’ Glenvista home in January 2023. Hughes was charged with murder and rape, but maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings.
In her latest appearance in the High Court in Johannesburg, her lawyer, Advocate Marius Bouwer, stated that his client wanted to make a few admissions. In her admissions, which were read out in court, the pre-school teacher detailed how she killed the little girl.
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Why did Hughes kill Nada-Jane?
In her admissions, Hughes explained that she killed the little girl after a fight with Nada-Jane’s father, Elie Challita.
Elie and Hughes have been in a relationship since 2021, but it was marked by numerous altercations. Hughes also threatened to harm the little girl during these disputes and followed through on her threats in January 2023.
“I admit that I drowned the deceased, Nada-Jane Therese Challita, on 23 January 2023 by sitting on her, which had the result that she was submerged in the water,” her admissions read.
She also claimed that she suffered from borderline personality disorder at the time, but was aware of what she was doing.
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Hughes tried to take her own life
She also admitted during her admissions that she tried to take her own life three times after the murder. She claimed that she tried ‘hitting’ a broken glass bottle against her wrists, before cutting herself with a knife.
She also said she tried to hang herself outside but was unable to find a suitable rope. It was then that Elie’s friend arrived at the house and found her and the deceased.
Hughes also stated that she planned to plead guilty to the murder charge, but due to ‘incidents and occurrences beyond her control”, she decided not to. While she’s admitted to the murder, she maintains that she didn’t rape the little girl.
The case has been postponed to 7 August 2025 for arguments on the rape charge.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were outraged by Hughes’ confession, with many describing her actions as evil. Others noted that more cases of women involved in the abuse of children were reported in 2025.
In January 2025, a 17-year-old girl was arrested for murder following the death of her one-year-old son. In June 2025, a 21-year-old mother in Limpopo was arrested in connection with the death of a 12-day-old baby.
Marie van Vuuren stated:
“We are in serious trouble in SA. Almost every day, we hear and see that children are being brutally murdered and raped. Enough is enough. Something needs to change. Bring back the death penalty for all these monsters.”
Keitumetse Mpho agreed:
“Such cases deserve the death penalty.”
Thibos said:
“Can Mandela month pass already? We have heard enough. Killing an innocent four-year-old child. She is worse than the devil.”
Carmy Langdown added:
“Evil women are working among us. We must not trust anyone with our children.”
Sweets Pillai asked:
“What is wrong with South African women? Where is the maternal instinct gone? It’s happening too often.”
Rantha Nair urged:
“Bring back the death sentence.”
Karon Kars Jacks said:
"Wow. There are evil people in this world. What did that little girl ever do to you? You are a disgusting human."
Mother arrested in connection with Jayden-Lee Meek's murder
In another story making headlines, Tiffany Meek denied involvement in her son's murder during her bail application.
Briefly News reported that the 31-year-old appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court for murder.
She was accused of killing her 11-year-old son, whose body was dumped outside his apartment a day after he was reported missing.
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