Judgment in Amber Lee Hughes case
She is accused of raping and killing her partner's four-year-old daughter, Nada Jane Challita.
The little girl was found drowned in a bathtub in her home in January 2023.
During the trial, the court heard that Hughes had a volatile relationship with the child's father.
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Auditor-General raises concern over governance failings in northern KZN municipality
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cogta Thulasizwe Buthelezi called to act on Umkhanyakude District Municipality Image: Supplied The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), Tsakani Maluleke, formally instructed KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi to intervene in a northern KwaZulu-Natal municipality, citing serious governance and financial failings. The embattled uMkhanyakude District Municipality has come under renewed pressure after Cogta confirmed that the MEC had received formal correspondence from the Auditor-General requesting immediate intervention following the uMkhanyakude District Municipality's continued failure to address material irregularities. The AGSA's instruction is based on findings relating to the municipality's long-standing non-implementation of a credit and debt collection policy, as required under Section 62(1)(f)(ii) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). 'The failure of the municipality to implement its credit and debt collection policy for a number of years and to take reasonable steps to recover outstanding debt from consumers is likely to result in a material financial loss for the municipality,' said Maluleke. The AG further noted that 'the failure of the accounting officer to take appropriate actions to address the material irregularity led to a decision by the AGSA's Material Irregularity Committee to approve reporting in the audit report of the municipality.' The correspondence defines a material irregularity under the Public Audit Act as a contravention of legislation or breach of fiduciary duty that results in, or is likely to result in, financial loss or substantial harm to a public institution or the general public. 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 The MEC has until August 15 to submit a formal report to the AGSA on the steps being taken to address the matter. 'The department stated that the MEC will abide by the AG's request and comply with the given deadline,' a department spokesperson stated. The latest development comes in the wake of a standoff between MEC Buthelezi and uMkhanyakude municipal leadership earlier this month. On July 14, the MEC was forced to break locks and hold a meeting outside the municipal offices after the speaker and municipal manager allegedly blocked his access. During that visit, he announced that the municipality would be placed under administration in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution and introduced Bamba Ndwandwe as the appointed administrator. He also revealed that a Section 106 forensic investigation had been launched to probe allegations of corruption and maladministration. After that incident, the municipality responded by rejecting the intervention, accusing the MEC of undermining local democratic processes and acting without due consultation. 'The intervention infringes upon the constitutional rights of the council… and creates an impression that elected representatives are dysfunctional, which is not a fair reflection,' Speaker T.S. Mkhombo had said in a statement at the time. Mkhombo argued that uMkhanyakude had made strides in stabilising governance and finances since the end of a previous intervention in April. The municipality also warned of possible legal action, saying it was exploring a review under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA). However, with the AGSA's direct involvement now confirming governance and financial management lapses, the pressure on the municipality's leadership has intensified. 'MEC Buthelezi holds the AGSA's office in the highest regard and is committed to acting in the interest of the residents of the uMkhanyakude District,' Cogta said. 'These residents bear the brunt of failed service delivery due to a lack of governance, financial, and consequence management measures within the District.' The municipality had not responded to a request for comment by the time of publication. THE MERCURY
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BT Academy coaches resign after Spain fiasco
BT Academy coaches Jesse Julius, Clayton Levendal, Keeno Damons and Jayvin Chrisholm have resigned after their harrowing experience being stranded in Spain without return flight tickets. Image: Facebook The soccer coaches of BT Academy, who were praised for their performance at a tournament in Spain and for supporting the players after they were left stranded without return flights, have officially resigned from the academy. A group of 38, including an under-14 team, an under-19 team, and a girls team, travelled to Spain to participate in the Donosti Cup 2025. The teams performed well and the trip went smoothly, until the final day. When it was time to return home, they discovered that their return flights had not been booked by the organisers, despite each person having paid R50 000 for what was meant to be an all-expenses-paid trip. In a statement reflecting on the ordeal, the four coaches wrote: 'To Brandon Timmy: we are nothing like you. You tried to break us. You failed to pay us. You abandoned us. But in the end, all you did was bring us closer together. We are coaches with integrity, honour, principles, and honesty. The very things you lack. "The brotherhood you tried to destroy is now stronger than ever: an unshakable force of unity forged through adversity. We won the hearts of the nation not through deception or silence, but through our courage to do what you didn't have the backbone to do - stand up, speak out, and protect the children and families you left behind. 'We are emotionally scarred, yes, but we are not broken. And we will not fail the children, the parents, or the people who believed in us, the way you failed them all.' The coaches also thanked everyone who helped bring them home. 'We write to you as the coaches of the former BT Academy, not just to thank you, but to honour the nation that stood up when Brandon Timmy turned away. When we were left stranded in a foreign country, abandoned, unpaid, and emotionally broken, it wasn't Brandon Timmy that came to our rescue. It was you. The people of South Africa, and even strangers from across the globe, who opened their hearts, their hands, and their homes to bring us back. "From those who gave despite having little, to those who sent messages of hope and solidarity every day. You carried us when we were at our lowest. Because of the generous, fearless spirit of South Africans and our global allies, we rise, not with anger, but with resolve, dignity, and truth. This is not the end.' Soccer coach Keeno Damons, who had been with BT Academy for three years, confirmed they had all resigned and submitted formal resignation letters. 'You can't work for someone you can't trust. The fact that he did what he did to all of us, the coaches, the players and the parents. Reality is kicking in for me. Brandon, Jayvin and I had a good relationship. To just throw that away is not easy for me. I have so many questions. What was going through his mind when he did this? It's heartbreaking. I feel betrayed,' he said. The sister of one of the coaches who was allegedly dismissed by BT Academy while in Portugal for speaking out about what was happening, said he is still owed over R70 000. 'It all started when they landed in Spain, there was no transport. They were stuck at the airport for a while. Jesse found transport to take them to the (accommodation); he paid R70 000 and BT paid R40 000,' she said. She added that, along with the other coaches, her brother had also contributed towards food for the group, but he was yet to be reimbursed. 'I tried my best to keep them in good spirits. I'm ecstatic that he is back, these past few days felt like months. It still feels so unreal.' BT Academy did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. Cape Times
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Police continue search for missing Joshlin in Saldanha Bay
Police have said that the search for Joshlin Smith will continue after her mother and two others were sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday for kidnapping and trafficking her. Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers Police have reported no further developments in their investigations into the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, having dispatched a team to Saldanha Bay at the weekend to follow up on 'new' information. The six-year-old girl went missing on February 19, 2024 from her home in Saldanha Bay while in the care of convicted child trafficker Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis. Her mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, claimed she was at work at the time. At the weekend police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said: 'Western Cape police descended on Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay on Friday afternoon pursuing emerging information as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Joshlin Smith. 'As SAPS previously stated, even though three individuals, including the mother of the child, were sentenced in May 2025 for kidnapping and human trafficking, the disappearance without trace of the child remained a priority for the SAPS in the Western Cape. Hence, the investigation was never closed.' Potelwa added that the operation involved a team of detectives, K-9 units, search and rescue personnel, and local police combing through an identified area. 'Whether the ongoing search will yield any success remains to be seen. It is worth reiterating that police have an obligation to follow up and test all information that is brought to their attention. 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 ✕ 'A humble plea is made that the search teams be afforded space to perform their duties as the investigation continues.' Asked about further developments on Sunday, police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said there was nothing to report as the investigation continues. Joshlin's paternal grandmother said she was shocked to learn that there were new developments in the case. She only became aware of this from the media and not from the police. 'I didn't hear anything about this until many people called me. I don't know what is going on. The police have not said anything to me,' Louretta Yon said. Joshlin's disappearance sent shockwaves across the country, with communities rallying in support of the search. Despite three people being convicted, including Appollis and Joshlin's mother, the little girl's whereabouts remain unknown. Cape Times
