Nada-Jane murder trial: Father gives emotional evidence against Amber-Lee Hughes
By Mvuyisi Rawu
The father of four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita gave emotional evidence in the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday during the trial of former primary school teacher Amber Lee Hughes.
Elie Challita told the court that his relationship with Hughes began while she was his daughter’s teacher.
According to his testimony, Hughes started sending flirtatious notes from school through Nada-Jane’s school diary. She later offered to assist him at home, allegedly telling him that she could help care for Nada-Jane because he was struggling to curl his daughter’s hair.
Challita testified that they exchanged telephone numbers, which led to dinner dates and eventually a romantic relationship.
He described Hughes as supportive during the early stages of their relationship. When he was dealing with social workers over custody matters, Hughes allegedly supported him and vouched for him as a good father.
However, Challita told the court that their relationship later deteriorated following allegations that Hughes was cheating on him with a man identified only as Kelvin.
He alleged that Hughes subsequently threatened to make false accusations against him, including claims that he was selling drugs and involved in prostitution or pimping.
Hughes is standing trial on charges of murder and rape following Nada-Jane’s death in January 2023. The four-year-old reportedly died while in Hughes’s care at her home in the south of Johannesburg.
The allegations against Hughes remain unproven, and she is presumed innocent until found guilty by the court.
Proceedings have been adjourned.
