Little Nada-Jane Chalita was murdered by her dad’s partner Amber Lee Hughes after she became convinced he was having an affair when he did not kiss her goodbye before a job interview
An evil nursery school teacher raped her partner’s 4-year-old daughter and then sat on her in the bath until she drowned.
Monster Amber Lee Hughes raped and killed her partner’s daughter Nada-Jane Chalita on January 23, 2023. The court heard how Nada-Jane’s dad Elie, left his daughter with Hughes to attend a job interview.
After Elie left, Hughes was furious that he had not kissed her goodbye and believed he had been unfaithful. In a chilling message sent before the brutal rape and murder, Hughes said: “You broke my heart; I’m going to burn yours. How could you do that to me?”
READ MORE: Hollywood producer David Pearce jailed for nearly 150 years for rape and murderREAD MORE: Man who had denied ever raping and murdering neighbour 27 years ago is killed
Hughes then put Nada-Jane in the bathtub and sat on her until she drowned. A post-mortem also found Nada-Jane had been raped twice before her death.
South Africa’s Johannesburg High Court heard Hughes said: “I admit that I suffered from borderline personality disorder at the time of the incident but was aware of what I was doing on that day. The event was triggered by the argument I had with the deceased’s father concerning his infidelity, and the final trigger was when he told me that I should stop bombarding him.
“I admit that after the deceased became unresponsive, I left her in the bathtub with the cold water tap still running.” Following the murder, Hughes attempted to end her life on three occasions.
During the October 27 sentencing, Hughes claimed her traumatic child hood and mental health had impacted her behaviour. The Sun reported social worker Carina Wolmarans had testified Hughes had been bullied and had tried to end her life multiple times.
Wolmarans argued Hughes had deep regret over the murder, and told the court: “She said she wishes she could take it back.” But judge Richard Mkabela said Hughes actions were “clearly premeditated.”
He said Hughes’ texts before the murder showed her intent, adding: “The inference is irresistible that [Hughes] made threat of burning Mr Challita’s heart and made good on that threat.”
Hughes entered into a relationship with Elie in 2021 and moved in with him and Nada-Jane. The court heard the relationship was turbulent with Hughes repeatedly threatening to harm Nada-Jane.
Hughes was found guilty in August of premeditated murder and vaginal rape, charges that carry minimum terms of life imprisonment. When asked about the trial, Elie said no sentence would be enough.
He added: “Obviously, I’m the parent of the child. The justice that I seek doesn’t exist in this world or in this lifetime.”