South African court sentences 71-year-old woman to 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 the murders of 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.

Nova News reports that De Villiers was sentenced on Thursday by the Worcester Regional Court in South Africa’s Western Cape province over the deaths of Caleb Booysen, eight; Gradwell Booysen, five; and Joshua Booysen, 18 months.

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

The court imposed a 20-year prison sentence for each murder, but ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning she will serve 20 years in total. It also declared her unfit to possess a firearm.

The children were visiting De Villiers and other relatives at her home in Wellington and were supposed to be driven home by her that day. However, they never arrived at their destination.

Eyewitnesses told authorities that roadworks were taking place on Bainskloof Pass, where traffic was being controlled at stop-and-go points. They reportedly saw De Villiers drive through the control points without stopping and pass a closed boom gate.

Traffic control officers halted 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 dispatched to investigate.

The vehicle was later found to have left the road and plunged down the pass.

Nova News reported that Caleb and Gradwell died at the scene, while Joshua survived briefly before succumbing to his injuries. Poor weather prevented a rescue helicopter from reaching the scene, forcing rescuers to bring the toddler up to the road.

During the sentencing, magistrate Clifton Maseti revoked De Villiers’ release on warning and issued a warrant committing her to prison.