Judgement day finally arrived for Chevonne Rusch’s killers at the Johannesburg High Court on Monday morning, almost two years after the two-year-old’s death. Her killers, Stefan van Niekerk and Rochelle Botha (her mother) were handed down sentences of life and 25 years respectively. Botha applied for an appeal which will be heard on 22 May.
Chevonne was only two years old when she was beaten to death in May 2022 in a house of horrors that involved the abuse of other children as well. Her short life was one of constant abuse, torment and neglect. During the trial, the pathologist assigned to Chevonne’s case revealed the extent of the cruelty involved. Her body was covered in 49 injuries and the cause of death was severe bleeding on her brain after head trauma.
“This coming Sunday will mark the two year anniversary of her death. It has taken a very long time to get to this point, and we hope that these two monsters never see the light of day again. However nothing will ever bring little Chevonne back, nor can anything take away the pain and suffering she endured during her short life,” said Action Society spokesperson, Juanita du Preez.
