Triple murder – Botha begins life in prison following sentence
Botha was charged with killing his sister and both parents on New Year's Eve of 2024.
In a case that has shocked the community, Eugene Botha was sentenced to life imprisonment for triple murders and 18 years for additional charges.
The court’s decision reflects the severity of his actions, with life sentences imposed for each of the three counts.
In addition to the life sentences, Botha received further imprisonment for having an illegal firearm and ammunition and attempting to obstruct justice.
While the sentences for the additional charges will run concurrently with the life terms, the severity of the initial conviction underscores the gravity of Botha’s crimes.
The sentence comes after he pleaded guilty at his January 21 hearing before the Johannesburg High Court and was subsequently sentenced on January 27.
Botha was charged with killing his sister and both parents on New Year’s Eve of 2024.
Murdered victims Johannes, Marie and Soné Botha were buried during a private ceremony at the Thomas Titus Nkobi Memorial Park on January 19.
ALSO READ: TRIPLE MURDER: Botha family members remembered by community and loved ones
Elsburg SAPS arrested Botha on January 3 and he made his first appearance at the Germiston Magistrate Court the next day.
As previously confirmed by the Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, his three victims were wrapped in blankets on the back of a bakkie. They had multiple stab wounds.
At the time, the motive for the killings was still unknown.
Before his arrest
On January 1, 2024, the bodies of Johannes, his wife Marie, and their daughter Soné were discovered in the back of a bakkie in an open field. Initial investigations revealed all three victims had suffered fatal stab wound injuries.
The discovery led to the initial arrest of Eugene Botha, who was found at the family home.
Attempt to conceal the crime
After committing the murders, Botha wrapped the bodies of his family members and loaded them onto the back of the family’s bakkie.
He then drove to a nearby field to dispose of the bodies.
However, his suspicious behaviour and the subsequent discovery of the bodies led to his swift arrest by the Elsburg SAPS.
Court journey
ALSO READ: Botha triple murder case postponed to May 21
After his arrest, Botha made his first and second appearances on January 4 and 11 at Germiston Magistrate’s Court.
• On February 8, he appeared before the same magistrate. The court gave the State (SAPS) eight weeks to complete its inquiry.
• His next court appearance was on April 8, which was postponed.
• He made another court appearance on May 21, his fifth appearance.
• After being repeatedly denied bail because of insufficient evidence and ongoing investigations, there was no hope he would be granted bail, with the court last denying his bail on June 3.
• After his last appearance at Germiston Magistrate Court on June 28, the State added the charge of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.
The court postponed the case to allow for further investigations and to wait for the decision from the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (ONDPP) about the trial venue.
ALSO READ: Triple murder – Case against Botha postponed to June
Johannesburg High Court
The ONDPP decided Botha had to face the Johannesburg High Court against 19 witnesses.
They transferred the case to the Johannesburg High Court for his first pre-trial hearing on July 26, where the court postponed it to January 2025.
He faced the following charges:
• Three counts of murder under section 51(1) of Act 105 of 1997 and section 258 of Act 51 of 1977.
• Unlawful possession of a firearm under sections of the Firearms Control Act, 60 of 2000, and section 250 of Act 51 of 1977.
• Unlawful possession of ammunition under sections of the Firearms Control Act, 60 of 2000, and section 250 of Act 51 of 1977.
• Defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.
Details of the guilty plea
During his court appearance at the Johannesburg High Court, Botha provided a detailed account of the events leading to the murders.
He confessed that on December 31, 2023, he had been drinking while celebrating the new year with his family.
Shortly after midnight, an argument ensued between him and his mother.
In a fit of rage, Botha retrieved a hammer and struck his mother multiple times on the head, leading to her immediate death.
Following this, Botha called his sister, Soné, into his bedroom and similarly attacked her with the hammer, delivering fatal blows.
He then went to his father’s room, where he used his father’s licensed firearm to shoot Johannes, resulting in his death.
ALSO READ: Botha sentenced for triple murder
Legal proceedings and community reaction
Botha’s case has seen multiple postponements over the past year. Initially, his bail application was withdrawn, and he remained in custody throughout the proceedings.
The court postponed the case times to allow for further investigations and to await instructions from the ONDPP.
During this period, the Germiston community and surviving family members have been grappling with the profound loss and seeking justice for the deceased.
Jaco Botha, Eugene’s brother, expressed his hope for a life sentence, stating, “We hope the court will sentence Eugene to life in prison. He has nothing to offer society.
“It is better if he is inside; at least then we know where he is and he would not commit more crimes.”
Jaco also expressed frustration over Botha’s inconsistent accounts of the events, which have left the family with unanswered questions.
“Every time he changes his story, we relive the trauma of our loss.
“We need closure to begin the healing process and move on with our lives,” Jaco added.
Botha’s sentencing
With the guilty plea submitted, the Johannesburg High Court was set to proceed with sentencing.
The court also considered the impact statements from surviving family members and the community during the sentencing phase.
Botha was eventually sentenced and sent to serve his prison terms at Johannesburg Prison, also known as Sun City Prison.
The six counts of sentences as ordered by the high court are:
• Count 1 for murder – life imprisonment.
• Count 2 for murder- life imprisonment.
• Count 3 for murder- life imprisonment.
• Count 4 for possession of an unlicensed firearm – 10 years’ imprisonment.
• Count 5 for possession of ammunition – five years’ imprisonment.
• Count 6 for defeating the end of justice – three years’ imprisonment.
All sentences will run concurrently.
