By Palesa Matlala
- Amber-Lee Hughes was convicted of raping and killing Nada-Jane Challita, the four-year-old daughter of Hughes’ former lover, in January 2023.
- The Johannesburg Correctional Centre holds 1,423 female inmates despite being built for only 711, creating an overcrowding rate of 200.14%.
Amber-Lee Hughes appeared at the Gauteng High Court on Monday for sentencing proceedings. She was convicted of raping and murdering Nada-Jane Challita, the four-year-old daughter of her former lover. The child was killed in January 2023 while in Hughes’ care.
The court heard testimony about conditions at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre, where Hughes could serve her sentence. Daphne Makhubele, head of the female section, told the court the facility was built to accommodate 711 inmates.
It currently holds 1,423 women and 24 babies.
“Our overcrowding rate is 200.14%. We try, as a centre, by all means to provide the basic needs of our inmates, both sentenced and unsentenced, including healthcare, accommodation and education for those who require it,” Makhubele said.
She told the court that if Hughes receives a life sentence, she would be placed in the maximum-security section. The prison has had only one permanent psychologist since 2001.
The defence requested a postponement. They said Hughes could not be properly consulted about electronic evidence.
Elie Challita, Nada-Jane’s father, spoke to Scrolla.Africa. He said the process was happening slowly but surely, but he expects more delays.
“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.
Challita said he does not want to hear an apology from Hughes.
“There’s no remorse here. She has two faces: one for the court and public, and another for me, Amy, and our family. She has nothing to say to us that could make us feel better,” he said.
Hughes’ legal team told the court she had a troubled upbringing. The defence is expected to provide more evidence in mitigation of sentence.
The matter resumes on 17 February 2026.
Pictured above: Amber-Lee Hughes.
Image source: Palesa Matlala
