Johannesburg woman admits to killing 4-year-old stepdaughter in court confession
According to a media statement from NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the admissions were made after the State and defence had fully argued the case and after she changed legal representation.
In her admissions, Hughes confessed to drowning the four-year-old after an emotionally charged dispute with the child's father over his infidelity.
ALSO READ: Murder suspect appears in court after boy's death in Fleurhof
She further stated that she suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder at the time, but maintained she was fully aware of her actions.
She also detailed multiple unsuccessful suicide attempts following the incident.
However, the accused denied the rape charges, claiming she had no knowledge of the allegations.
ALSO READ: Child murder: When home becomes the most dangerous place
The case was postponed to August 7 for closing arguments on the admissions.
The accused remains in custody until her next court appearance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Strand CPF chairperson arrested on serious sexual offence charges
A CPF chairperson has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor. Image: Supplied A 56-year-old man, the chairperson of the Strand Community Police Forum (CPF), has been arrested on multiple charges of sexual offences involving a minor. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said the accused was remanded in custody following his appearance in the Strand Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 6 August. He is due to appear again on 14 August for a bail application. The State has indicated it will oppose bail. "Police arrested the 56-year-old suspect on Wednesday 6 August, in connection with two counts of sexual assault levelled against him. He appeared in the Strand Magistrates' court the same day. "Khayelitsha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit is probing a sexual assault case following an incident which allegedly happened on 3 June at the workplace of the suspect, whose name cannot be revealed due to the nature of the alleged offence," Pojie said. "The initial case was registered at Strand SAPS and transferred to Gordon's Bay SAPS as the alleged offence was perpetrated within their precinct." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the accused faces charges of exposure or display of genital organs to a 15-year-old girl, two counts of compelled self-sexual assault, two counts of crimen injuria, and one count of sexual assault. Ntabazalila added the case falls under Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act, meaning the accused must show that it is in the interests of justice for him to be released on bail. "I can confirm that a 56-year-old man, chairperson of the Strand CPF, appeared at the Strand Magistrate's Court. "He is charged with exposure, or display of causing exposure or display of genital organs to a minor (flashing), two counts of compelled self sexual assault (telling the minor to massage him to get aroused), two counts of crimes injuria (asking the minor to undress herself) and sexual assault (massaging her breast). "The incidents happened between 3 July and the sexual assault happened on 26 July. The State charged him under Schedule 5, which places the onus on him to prove that it is in the interest of justice to be released on bail. His case has been postponed until 14 August for a bail application. The State will oppose the bail application." The City of Cape Town District CPF Board and the Khayelitsha sub-district CPF Board issued a joint statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations. The statement confirmed that CPF structures would not make further public comment while the matter is under investigation, but stressed that due process would be followed in line with the CPF Uniformed Constitution. 'We have full confidence in the ongoing investigation and trust that the necessary authorities will deal with the matter with the seriousness it deserves,' the statement read. 'Appropriate action will be taken in line with our governing framework to ensure accountability, integrity, and the protection of the CPF's role in community safety. We are deeply concerned by the nature of the allegations and take this opportunity to wish the alleged victim strength and healing on her recovery journey.' Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais also commented on the matter, describing the allegations as 'reprehensible' and calling for zero tolerance for any form of abuse. 'It is essential that only individuals of the highest moral standing and integrity serve on community structures like CPFs. I therefore commend the City of Cape Town District CPF Board and Khayelitsha Sub-District CPF Board for their urgency in dealing with this matter. The law must now take its course,' she said.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Minister Kubayi asserts no executive interference in NPA prosecutions
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says she has given full support to the National Prosecuting Authority's need for financial and operational independence. Image: Jairus Mmutle / GCIS Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has reaffirmed the independence of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), asserting that her ministerial oversight does not extend to influence over prosecutorial decisions. 'The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development exercises final responsibility over the NPA. This role is administrative and policy-oriented and does not extend to involvement in or interference with specific prosecutorial decisions,' Kubayi said. She made the statement when she was responding to parliamentary questions posed by EFF MP Rebecca Mohlala. Mohlala posed the parliamentary questions following the recent allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. She wanted to know the measures that were in place to guarantee prosecutorial decisions in politically sensitive cases were free from executive interference and undue political influence. In her reply, Kubayi said the Constitution safeguards the NPA's prosecutorial independence. 'It explicitly states that the NPA must exercise its functions without fear, favour or prejudice, which is reinforced by Section 32 of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act No. 32 of 1998).' She added that the NPA was accountable to Parliament, including for its decisions regarding the institution of prosecutions. The Constitution also provided safeguards against executive interference as it provided that 'national legislation must ensure that the prosecuting authority exercises its functions without fear, favour or prejudice'. 'The NPA is therefore guided by constitutional and legislative provisions that guarantee its independence,' Kubayi said. The minister stated that she did not possess investigative powers and could not initiate or conduct investigations. However, she confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in KwaZulu-Natal has received an enquiry from the SAPS and has dedicated prosecutors to deal with allegations of defeating the administration of justice regarding the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. 'The DPP will report to the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).' Kubayi added that matters referred to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) were assessed to determine whether or not fell within the IDAC's mandate before a decision was made to investigate. She said there were prescripts that guided the investigations and legal processes that IDAC must follow. 'There are sufficient checks and balances to ensure that there is no interference internal or otherwise. To date there has not been any interference in the matters that IDAC has been dealing with.' Regarding high profile cases, Kubayi said National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi issued directives which require prosecutors in the prosecution of sensitive or contentious nature to inform the DPP concerned in writing about the nature and details of such matters, and the DPP was expected to similarly inform Batohi. The NPA applied the same legal standards and prosecutorial guidelines to all politically sensitive cases. 'Decisions are made based on the sufficiency of evidence, public interest, and the prospects of a successful prosecution. The NPA remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability, irrespective of the status or affiliation of those involved,' Kubayi said. Asked about measures to restore the independence, credibility and public trust in the NPA, Kubayi said addressing the NPA's operational and financial independence has been a long-outstanding issue. She also said since Batohi came to office, addressing aspects of the NPA's operational and financial independence has featured as one of the key strategic initiatives, including the NPA to obtain its own Accounting Officer in order to safeguard its financial independence.
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Durban man's bail appeal denied due to alleged R5000 bribe to witness
Durban High Court has dismissed an appeal of a bail application for man who allegedly killed his employee Image: File A murder-accused Durban man has had his appeal dismissed by the Durban High Court after the Verulam Magistrate's Court denied him bail for the second time. This is after he allegedly paid a R5,000 bribe to one of his former employees, who he allegedly tried to kill, to change a statement that he made to the police and say that he is innocent. Shirwin Nowtham is charged with murder and attempted murder of his two employees. The State alleges that Nowtham shot his employees, and one survived. According to court papers on October 4, 2024, the lower court denied him bail. He did not challenge that, but he later applied for bail on new facts, and on March 14, 2025, the same court refused his application. After that, he approached the high court to appeal the bail refusal by the lower court. The survivor, who cannot be named, made a statement to the police on September 11, 2024, in which it stated that Nowtham picked him and his colleague up in a Grey Polo, in August 2024. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He said Nowtham was with a person named Stephen. He explained that he and his colleague worked for Nowtham and Stephen, selling drugs. On the day they were shot, the survivor said they were promised another job. As their employers fetched them in a Polo, the survivor said they were made at some stage to get out of the car. 'Nowtham then took the firearm which was inside the vehicle and shot at us,' the survivor said. When Nowtham applied for bail on new facts, he stated the continued illness of his son, his ongoing hypertension, and that the survivor has withdrawn his allegations against him. The second statement made by the survivor was on November 15, 2024, and it was not submitted in court. On November 18, 2024, the survivor made another statement where he said Nowtham called him from prison and told him to change his statement and say Stephen is the one who shot him. The survivor confirmed that he received a R5,000 payment sent through Nowtham's friend Lunga. The survivor further stated that he was promised R20,000 if he went to court on November 27, 2024, to withdraw charges against Nowtham. He said he did not want to do that. However, on November 25 and in January 2025, the survivor made other statements to different attorneys, where he said Nowtham did not shoot him. Nowtham said this was a compelling reason for him to get bail as the survivors' statement ruined the State's case. However, State said it has more evidence, including cellphone records, and that before the employee died, he told a security guard that Nowtham shot him. 'I am not persuaded that the magistrate has erred at all in coming to her decision, and I am not able to find that the conclusion that she came to was the incorrect one,' Judge Robin Mossop said. He said the evidence of the survivor that Nowtham was able to reach him and influence him was compelling evidence of Nowtham's willingness to interfere with State witnesses, a conclusion to which the magistrate correctly came to. Judge Mossop said he was unable to interfere in the decision of the magistrate.
