South African great-grandmother jailed 20 years for killing three great-grandchildren

A South African great-grandmother, Susana “Sarie” De Villiers, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing her three great-grandchildren.

According to South African news outlet Nova News on Friday, De Villiers pleaded guilty to the three murders in March 2025.

She was sentenced on Thursday by the Worcester Regional Court in the Western Cape province over the deaths of Caleb Booysen, eight, Gradwell Booysen, five, and Joshua Booysen, 18 months old.

The children died on November 20, 2021, when De Villiers drove a vehicle off Bainskloof Pass. She survived the crash but suffered serious injuries, including broken ribs and a neck injury.

The court handed down a 20-year sentence for each murder but ordered the terms to run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of 20 years in prison. She was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The children had been visiting De Villiers and other relatives at her home in Wellington and were expected to be driven back home by her on the day of the incident. However, they never reached their destination.

Witnesses told authorities that roadworks were underway on Bainskloof Pass, where traffic was being regulated through stop-and-go control points. They reportedly saw De Villiers drive past the control points without stopping and proceed through a closed boom gate.

Traffic officials stopped other vehicles to prevent a possible head-on collision. When De Villiers’ vehicle failed to arrive at a fourth control point, a patrol vehicle was sent to investigate.

The vehicle was later discovered off the road after plunging down the mountain pass.

Nova News reported that Caleb and Gradwell died at the scene, while Joshua survived briefly before succumbing to his injuries. Due to poor weather conditions, a rescue helicopter could not reach the location, forcing rescuers to carry the toddler back up to the road.

During the sentencing proceedings, magistrate Clifton Maseti revoked De Villiers’ release on warning and issued a warrant for her imprisonment.