Koës murderers sentenced to life behind bars
Late Botmas’ sons submit grief-filled letters to court
A High Court judge noted that the killers' apparent lack of remorse, along with the broader surge in violent crime across Namibia, were key factors considered during sentencing.
Seven years after the gruesome murders of Giel Botma, 79, and his 80-year-old wife, Sarie, their two killers were each sentenced to life imprisonment by High Court Judge Dinnah Usiku last week.
The couple was brutally attacked and murdered on their farm near Koës in February 2018.
Giel was beaten and shot in the mouth with his own .22 rifle. Sarie endured immense suffering and terror in her final moments, during which she was raped, stabbed with a sharp object and strangled with her own shoelaces.
The murderers, Julius Frederick ‘Lemmy’ Arndt and Andries Afrikaner, were each sentenced on Tuesday to life imprisonment for the double murder, 15 years each for the rape charge and 10 years for housebreaking with intent to steal and robbery under aggravating circumstances.
The judge ordered that the sentences be served concurrently.
The two men broke into the couple’s home and, following the violent attacks, stole several belongings, including a vehicle later found in Arndt’s possession.
In her judgment, Judge Usiku noted the lack of remorse shown by the accused.
“The deceased couple was murdered in a cruel and gruesome manner. The accused men showed no remorse for their crimes but instead tried to shift the blame onto each other.”
She added that, according to police evidence, the brutality of the attacks spoke volumes about how the crimes were carried out.
Societal impact
Usiku emphasised that society has in recent times been shocked by a wave of violent crimes, including murders, rapes and housebreakings, which are reported in the media almost daily. The elderly and the young are often the primary targets.
“The current crimes and the horrific circumstances under which they were committed have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from society, and this must be given significant weight during sentencing,” Usiku said.
“Courts are required to strike a balance between the personal interests of the accused and the interests of society at large.”
For the State, Seredine Jacobs submitted two victim impact statements as aggravating evidence, written and read in court by the murdered couple’s sons, Schoeman and Giel Botma.
In his letter, Schoeman pleaded with the court to recognise the depth of their loss, as well as the cruelty of the crimes committed against his parents. He said they would have to endure the pain for the rest of their lives.
Giel described his late parents as elderly, defenceless victims. “They were attacked in their home – a place that should have been safe for them. The violence with which these crimes were carried out was deliberate and the act of monsters,” he stated.
Joseph Andreas represented Arndt, who continued to maintain his innocence, while Afrikaner pleaded for leniency during sentencing.
A third accused, Johannes Marcellinus Christiaan, was acquitted of all charges in October 2024 after being found not guilty.
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The couple was brutally attacked and murdered on their farm near Koës in February 2018.
Giel was beaten and shot in the mouth with his own .22 rifle. Sarie endured immense suffering and terror in her final moments, during which she was raped, stabbed with a sharp object and strangled with her own shoelaces.
The murderers, Julius Frederick ‘Lemmy’ Arndt and Andries Afrikaner, were each sentenced on Tuesday to life imprisonment for the double murder, 15 years each for the rape charge and 10 years for housebreaking with intent to steal and robbery under aggravating circumstances.
The judge ordered that the sentences be served concurrently.
The two men broke into the couple’s home and, following the violent attacks, stole several belongings, including a vehicle later found in Arndt’s possession.
In her judgment, Judge Usiku noted the lack of remorse shown by the accused.
“The deceased couple was murdered in a cruel and gruesome manner. The accused men showed no remorse for their crimes but instead tried to shift the blame onto each other.”
She added that, according to police evidence, the brutality of the attacks spoke volumes about how the crimes were carried out.
Societal impact
Usiku emphasised that society has in recent times been shocked by a wave of violent crimes, including murders, rapes and housebreakings, which are reported in the media almost daily. The elderly and the young are often the primary targets.
“The current crimes and the horrific circumstances under which they were committed have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from society, and this must be given significant weight during sentencing,” Usiku said.
“Courts are required to strike a balance between the personal interests of the accused and the interests of society at large.”
For the State, Seredine Jacobs submitted two victim impact statements as aggravating evidence, written and read in court by the murdered couple’s sons, Schoeman and Giel Botma.
In his letter, Schoeman pleaded with the court to recognise the depth of their loss, as well as the cruelty of the crimes committed against his parents. He said they would have to endure the pain for the rest of their lives.
Giel described his late parents as elderly, defenceless victims. “They were attacked in their home – a place that should have been safe for them. The violence with which these crimes were carried out was deliberate and the act of monsters,” he stated.
Joseph Andreas represented Arndt, who continued to maintain his innocence, while Afrikaner pleaded for leniency during sentencing.
A third accused, Johannes Marcellinus Christiaan, was acquitted of all charges in October 2024 after being found not guilty.
– [email protected]
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