By Palesa Matlala
- Amber-Lee Hughes’s defence team said it is struggling to consult with her and to access electronic evidence needed for mitigation.
- Hughes is held at Johannesburg Correctional Centre and the court expects her to take the stand on 18 February 2026.
Self-confessed child killer Amber-Lee Hughes was expected to take the stand for her sentencing. But the matter was pushed back for a second day in a row after her defence team told the court it was not ready to go ahead.
Hughes is a 26-year-old former pre-school teacher. She confessed to raping and drowning Nada-Jane, the daughter of her ex-lover. She was convicted after a lengthy trial and is being held at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre.
Her defence team asked the court for more time, saying it needed to consult with Hughes and review electronic evidence before the sentencing could continue.
The State told the court during the proceedings that it had already submitted all its expert reports. It said Hughes was the one causing the delays.
Advocate Marius Bouwer, who represents Hughes, told the court what was behind the hold-ups.
“The delays were due to significant challenges in securing consultations with the accused and obtaining access to electronic material required for mitigation,” Bouwer said.
The defence is fighting for a lesser sentence. It says Hughes has pre-existing psychological and psychiatric issues that the court needs to consider.
The court gave Hughes and her legal team time to consult in the holding cell. She then left for the Johannesburg Correctional Centre, where she is being held.
The defence has been given ten days to get testimony from witnesses and finalise the sentencing. Hughes is expected to take the stand on 18 February 2026.
Pictured above: Amber-Lee Hughes.
Image source: Palesa Matlala
