Eugene Botha made his initial appearance at the Johannesburg High Court on June 28 for a pre-trial hearing.
The session aimed to establish a start date for his trial and address his application for legal aid. Botha faces charges of triple murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition.
The case has been postponed to January 20.
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Botha remains in custody and has expressed to his legal aid lawyer that he may consider pleading guilty, a decision that could significantly alter the course of the trial.
His lawyer noted that they must discuss this option thoroughly with Botha to ensure he understands its implications before any decisions are made.
The family’s lawyer acknowledged that they are awaiting further developments, noting that a guilty plea would mean Botha admits to the crimes, leaving the court to determine the next steps.
Jaco Botha, Eugene’s brother, attended the hearing alongside other family members, who are still grappling with the profound loss of three loved ones.
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The family has called for justice and closure, expressing disappointment over the trial’s delay until next year.
“We hope Eugene will be sentenced to life in prison. He has nothing to offer society. It’s better if he’s inside, at least then we know where he is and that he won’t be committing more crimes,” Jaco said.
He also expressed frustration over Eugene’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.
