Update
NATIONAL NEWS - The Johannesburg High Court has once again postponed the rape and murder trial of four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita from Mulbarton in the south of Johannesburg.
According to Alberton Record, the matter, which was set to proceed yesterday, was delayed after the accused was declared medically unfit to participate in the trial.
Advocate Michelle Ives, who is representing the accused, told the court that her client, Amber Lee Hughes, had been taken to Johannesburg General Hospital five times but had not yet received the necessary dental treatment.
She added that the accused is on strong medication, unable to speak, and is currently on a liquid diet. As a result, the case has been postponed to Wednesday.
State Advocate Rolene Barnard said it is extremely disappointing that after the last postponement of this matter, it cannot proceed, however, she believed that it is in the interest of justice that the accused receive medical treatment in order for the matter to continue.
Judge Richard Mkhabela noted that he cannot compel the accused to participate if she is not well.
Nada-Jane’s father, Elie, voiced his growing frustration outside the courtroom. “It’s horrible. It’s like the third time it’s happening. It’s not moving. We get stuck in the same place. We do the same things we were doing in the magistrate’s court before it came to the Johannesburg High Court. It doesn’t feel good. It doesn’t sit well. This is when it shows you that the criminal has more rights than the victim. This part proves it,” he said.
The accused remains in custody.
Background
The accused has pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of four-year-old Nada-Jane, who was the daughter of her romantic partner.
According to NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the accused allegedly moved in with the child’s father following the start of their romantic relationship. The relationship was reportedly rocky and marred by frequent arguments.
During one such dispute, the accused allegedly threatened to harm the child.
It is alleged that she later raped the little girl by inserting an unknown object into her private parts and drowned her in a bathtub. The child’s lifeless body was later discovered floating in the bath.
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