Botha’s brother shares how family troubles were caused by convicted murderer
"I am angry with him for his actions, but I do not hate him. I am sad to lose another family member."
Jaco Botha broke down in tears after the sentencing of his brother, Eugene Botha, at the Johannesburg High Court on January 27 in the triple murder case of his parents and sister.
In a case that has shocked the community, Eugene was sentenced to life imprisonment for the three murders and received an additional 18 years for other charges.
Botha was convicted of killing his sister and both parents.
The murder victims, Johannes, Marie and Soné Botha, were laid to rest during a private ceremony at the Thomas Titus Nkobi Memorial Park on January 19 last year.
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Their bodies were discovered in the back of a bakkie in an open field on New Year’s Day in 2024.
Initial investigations revealed that all three victims had been stabbed.
The discovery led to the arrest of Eugene, who was found at the family home.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the three counts of murder.
He was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession of an unlicensed firearm, five years imprisonment for possession of ammunition and three years for defeating the ends of justice.
All sentences will run concurrently.
Jaco speaks out
Following the final court proceedings, GCN contacted Jaco, who shared his thoughts on the verdict.
He admitted to having conflicting emotions after the sentencing.
“Though we got what we wanted from justice, which is a life sentence, I wept because I felt like I had lost another family member,” Jaco said.
“Eugene is better off in prison. He had nothing to offer society. He had electrical training but never put it to use.
“He once had a well-paying job but quit,” he said.
“I am angry with him for his actions, but I do not hate him. I’m just sad to lose another family member because I am now completely alone.”
ALSO READ: Botha sentenced for triple murder
Jaco described his brother as a liar, manipulator and narcissist, adding that his testimony in the High Court was inconsistent and confusing.
“His explanations about how he murdered my father did not add up. He claimed he shot him and buried the gun in the garden,” Jaco said.
“The court had to rely on the pathologist’s statement, which confirmed that my father’s head wound was caused by a hammer, not a bullet.”
Family dynamics
Jaco detailed Eugene’s troubled relationship with their mother and sister, stating that he often started arguments and bullied his sister, Soné, who had Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.
“Eugene was a bully. He would constantly mock my sister,” Jaco said.
He shared that Soné had spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals over the last two years and was admitted again in November 2023 due to poor health.
“She also spent a lot of time at church.
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“During the memorial service, a picture was shared of her sitting in a tub from her baptism. She had a huge smile on her face,” Jaco recalled.
“She found comfort in church, escaping Eugene’s abuse.”
A talented artist, Soné attended the National School of Arts and had a gift for drawing.
“My mother used to frame her artwork, which created a special bond between them,” Jaco shared.
Jaco harshly criticised his brother for being lazy and entitled.
“Eugene always played the victim in every situation, and that was clear even in court,” Jaco said.
He explained that their parents had grown tired of supporting Eugene, a 43-year-old man who had no job and made no contributions to the family.
“They had to sacrifice so much to take care of him, feeding and clothing him,” he said.
Jaco also revealed that his parents hid some of Eugene’s actions from him because they knew he would not tolerate them.
“I was right to believe that he was playing the victim, and that became evident in court.”
Aftermath
Jaco spoke to GCN on February 12, which would have been his father’s 74th birthday.
He admitted that the pain was still raw almost a year after the murders.
“That morning, I received both birthday wishes and condolences. We miss them and visit their graves often. It’s been almost a year, and a headstone still needs to be erected.”
Jaco also shared that they plan to sell the family home in Rondebult after finalising the paperwork.
“Every time we go to the house, it’s an emotional journey. We’ve had a few attempted break-ins, so it’s best to sell it.”
ALSO READ: Botha triple murder case postponed to May 21
Jaco spoke fondly of his mother and father, sharing that he was very close to his mother.
“We enjoyed long conversations, but she preferred speaking to me because Eugene always started fights.”
His father, an electrician, worked beyond retirement age to support the family, especially Soné.
Jaco described his mother as creative and hardworking.
“She loved gardening, cooking and sewing.
“She had many recipes and even created photo frames for Soné’s artwork. Recently, she also started enjoying computer games.”
