You broke my heart, I'm going to burn yours, I'm going to kill your f***ing child:" says ECD teacher before girl (4) gets raped and murdered

Johannesburg – The chilling words allegedly uttered by Amber Lee Hughes, a 25-year-old Early Childhood Development (ECD) teacher, before the tragic death of 4-year-old Nada-Jane Challita, hung heavy in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg this week. Hughes is accused of raping and murdering the little girl, whose lifeless body was found in a bathtub in January 2023.

The trial, which began on Monday, has already been an emotionally charged affair, with Nada-Jane's father, Elie Challita, taking the stand as the first witness. He recounted the harrowing events leading up to his daughter's death, painting a picture of a relationship gone sour and a woman consumed by jealousy and rage.

Challita met Hughes when he enrolled Nada-Jane in a Bedfordview preschool where Hughes was working in late 2021. "I was a single father at that time, and the accused offered help if and when I needed it with my child," he explained, adding that she would send Nada-Jane home with letters "with hearts on them". "She used to tell me: 'Look in the agenda, there's something for you,'" he said.

What started as a seemingly idyllic connection soon morphed into a nightmare. Challita testified that their relationship, which began shortly after Nada-Jane's enrolment, became increasingly volatile. He described it as "very unstable, right through". As time went on, he noticed Hughes becoming jealous of his daughter. "[Hughes] was jealous about me giving [Nada-Jane] more attention and spending more money on her," he told the court, citing an argument over ice-cream flavours as an example.

Amber Lee Hughes in the dock. (Bernadette Wicks / News24)

The court heard how Challita, at the time of Nada-Jane's death, was living with Hughes and his daughter in Glenvista. He was considering a job opportunity in Polokwane and had travelled there to view potential properties on the day his daughter died. Text messages exchanged between Challita and Hughes on that fateful day revealed a relationship rife with accusations and resentment. Hughes questioned why Challita had not kissed her goodbye that morning, and the messages suggested she believed he was being unfaithful.

The last message Challita received from Hughes sent shivers down his spine. "You broke my heart; I'm going to burn yours. How could you do that to me?" it read. "I felt my heart fall from my chest; I felt something was very wrong," he told the court.

Driven by a sense of foreboding, Challita contacted a friend, Marwan Fallah, and asked him to check on Hughes and Nada-Jane. Fallah arrived to find Hughes on the floor of the TV room, her wrists bleeding from what is believed to have been a suicide attempt. When he asked about Nada-Jane, Fallah said Hughes told him she had drowned her in the bath – a claim her advocate, Michelle Ives, said she would dispute. Fallah raced to the bathroom and found the little girl floating face-down in the tub.

Elie Challita and Amy Johnson at the Gauteng HIgh Court in Johannebsurg with a photograph of their beloved daughter, Nada-Jane. (Bernadette Wicks/News24)

Nada-Jane was rushed to hospital, but it was too late. She was declared dead. A subsequent post-mortem revealed the horrifying truth: there was evidence of sexual assault.

Challita testified that about six months before Nada-Jane's death, he and Hughes had a serious argument during which she allegedly threatened to harm his daughter. He recounted an incident where he had to wrestle Hughes away from a circular meat cutter, fearing she would hurt herself. Challita said he asked the gardener to take Nada-Jane outside to remove her from the situation, which seemed to push Hughes over the edge. "The accused's reaction was: Is that all you care about? Get off me. I'm going to show you how I'm going to kill your f***ing child," Challita told the court.

Despite these threats, Challita said he never truly believed Hughes would act on them. "In my mind, I was saying she would get angry and say things she doesn't mean like everyone else. But this one meant every word she said," he told News24.

Hughes, for her part, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In her plea explanation, she claimed she had left Nada-Jane to play in the bath by herself that day, insisting they had done this "on multiple occasions" before. She said she had tripped over the dog and onto some glass and had gone to clean herself up. When she returned to check on Nada-Jane, Hughes claimed she found the child unresponsive. She did not, however, offer any explanation for the evidence of rape found during the post-mortem, simply denying that she had sexually assaulted the child.

The trial has not only been gruelling for Challita but also for Nada-Jane's mother, Amy Johnson. In the wake of their daughter's death, Challita and Johnson have rekindled their relationship, and Johnson has been present at court to support Challita. Chalitta gripped Johnson's hand tightly as he recalled some of his fondest memories of his daughter. He spoke of her love for animals and how, every year on her birthday, they would trap finches and gently release them, one by one. He also shared his daughter's passion for fishing. "She enjoyed fishing just as much as I did. She would literally wind her own fish in by herself. We would throw the line, and she would stand and copy me – loosening the drag, then tightening it. She was my copy, just a girl," Challita said.

Nada-Jane was four years old when she was murdered

Speaking outside the court, Challita expressed his hope that Hughes would face the full might of the law but acknowledged that nothing could ever bring back his daughter. Fighting back tears, he said: "I could have another 10 children; it's not going to be her; it's not going to bring that specific baby back. No money, no time, no children can bring her back."

The case continues to unfold, with a forensic pathologist expected to take the stand on Tuesday. The trial is expected to be lengthy and emotionally draining for all involved. It raises difficult questions about trust, betrayal, and the devastating consequences of unchecked anger and jealousy. It also serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the importance of protecting them from harm.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, this case highlights several broader issues within South African society. Firstly, it underscores the ongoing problem of violence against women and children. South Africa has one of the highest rates of femicide in the world, and child abuse is also rampant. This is often attributed to a combination of factors, including poverty, inequality, and a culture of violence. The government has implemented various measures to combat these problems, but more needs to be done to protect vulnerable individuals.

Secondly, the case raises questions about the vetting and training of ECD teachers. While many ECD teachers are dedicated and caring professionals, there is a need to ensure that all teachers are properly screened and trained to identify and respond to signs of abuse. This includes providing them with the skills and knowledge to create a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Thirdly, the case highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues. It is clear that Hughes was struggling with mental health problems, and it is possible that these contributed to her actions. South Africa has a shortage of mental health services, and many people are unable to access the care they need. This needs to be addressed to prevent future tragedies.