Eugene Botha, 36, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murders of his sister and both parents on New Year’s Eve 2024. The case has shocked the local community, leading to intense media coverage and public outcry.
At the Johannesburg High Court on January 27, 2025, Botha pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, receiving a life sentence for each count. In addition, he was sentenced to 18 years for further charges, including illegal possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and attempting to obstruct justice. All sentences will run concurrently.
The tragic events unfolded on December 31, 2023, when Botha, intoxicated from celebrating the New Year with his family, engaged in a violent argument with his mother, Marie. In a fit of rage, Botha attacked his mother with a hammer, causing her immediate death. He then proceeded to his sister Soné’s room and killed her in the same manner. The final victim, his father Johannes, was shot with his own firearm. Botha later disposed of the bodies by wrapping them in blankets and placing them in the back of a bakkie, which he drove to a nearby field. The bodies were discovered on January 1, 2024, sparking an immediate investigation.
The police quickly arrested Botha at the family home, where he was found with evidence of the crime. His confession revealed that the violence stemmed from a heated argument and his escalating rage, culminating in the tragic deaths of his loved ones.
The case faced multiple postponements, and Botha’s inconsistent accounts of the events added to the family’s trauma. His brother, Jaco Botha, expressed his frustration over Eugene’s changing story, emphasizing the need for closure. “We need closure to begin the healing process,” Jaco said, highlighting the pain the family endured throughout the legal proceedings.
Botha’s sentencing comes after the court considered the impact of his actions on surviving family members and the community. The decision reflects the severity of the crimes committed, and the family hopes this sentence will provide some measure of justice.
The triple murder case has left the Germiston community in shock and mourning, with many grappling with the senseless loss of three innocent lives. Eugene Botha is now serving his sentences at Johannesburg Prison, also known as Sun City Prison.
