Overview

• Judge Richard Mkhabela delivered the guilty verdict in the Gauteng High Court following proceedings on August 28–29.
• Amber Lee Hughes admitted she drowned four-year-old Nada-Jane by sitting on her in the bathtub after a dispute with the child’s father.
• Forensic evidence indicated sexual assault, resulting in a conviction on one rape count and an acquittal on a second.
• The court highlighted a message to the child’s father—“You broke my heart; I’m going to burn yours”—as proof of intent.
• Sentencing was postponed at the defence’s request to October 27, with prosecutors preparing victim-impact statements and expert evidence.