Great-Grandmother Sentenced to 20 Years for Killing Three Young Relatives in South Africa

Susana “Sarie” De Villiers, a 71-year-old woman from South Africa, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing her three great-grandchildren. The Worcester Regional Court in the Western Cape province handed down the sentence on Thursday, following De Villiers’ guilty plea to the murders in March 2025.

The tragic incident occurred on November 20, 2021, when De Villiers drove her vehicle off Bainskloof Pass. The children, Caleb Booysen, eight; Gradwell Booysen, five; and Joshua Booysen, 18 months, were visiting her home in Wellington and were meant to be driven back home by her.

Witnesses reported that De Villiers ignored traffic control measures on the pass, which were in place due to roadworks. She drove through stop-and-go points and past a closed boom gate. When her vehicle did not arrive at a fourth control point, authorities sent a patrol vehicle to check on her.

Rescuers later found her vehicle had gone off the road. Caleb and Gradwell died at the scene, while Joshua succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Poor weather conditions prevented a rescue helicopter from reaching the area, forcing rescuers to carry the toddler up to the road.

During the sentencing, magistrate Clifton Maseti declared De Villiers unfit to own a firearm and issued a warrant for her immediate imprisonment. Although she received a 20-year sentence for each murder, they will be served concurrently, meaning she will spend a total of 20 years in prison.