The chilling words, “You broke my heart, I’m going to burn yours,” spoken by 23-year-old Amber Hughes, continue to resonate as the harrowing events of that day are set to be revisited in court. These were reportedly the last words Elie Challita, a father and partner, heard from Hughes before the tragic death of his four-year-old daughter, Nada-Jane Challita.
On 23 January 2023, Elie Challita left his young daughter, Nada-Jane, at their Johannesburg home under the care of Hughes, who at the time was a nursery school teacher. He had embarked on a trip to Polokwane to explore housing options. Trusting Hughes with his child seemed natural, given their relationship and her professional background.
However, during the day, Hughes discovered Challita had been conversing with other women on WhatsApp. Feeling betrayed, she confronted him in a heated phone call. Accusations of infidelity escalated into ominous threats as Hughes reportedly declared her intent to destroy everything he cherished.
Challita’s efforts to reach Hughes after their argument were futile, leaving him increasingly concerned. With no response from her and mounting dread, he called a friend, pleading for them to check on his daughter at the house. Upon arriving, the friend found Hughes in the lounge with apparent self-inflicted cuts on her wrists.
When questioned about the whereabouts of Nada-Jane, Hughes directed the friend to the bathroom. There, the lifeless body of the young girl was found floating in the bathtub. Paramedics rushed Nada-Jane to the hospital, but the little girl was declared deceased upon arrival.
Amber Hughes, now 25, is set to stand trial in 2025 at the Johannesburg High Court. She faces two charges of rape and one charge of murder. While the details of her defense remain unclear, the trial promises to shed light on the sequence of events that led to the tragic death of Nada-Jane.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about domestic relationships, mental health, and the devastating consequences of unaddressed emotional turmoil. For the Challita family, however, the focus remains on seeking justice for a little girl whose life was cut tragically short.
As the legal proceedings unfold, South Africans and the world will watch closely, hoping for answers and resolution in this heart-wrenching case.
