A 71-year-old Wellington great-grandmother has been found guilty of three counts of premeditated murder after driving her three great-grandchildren off Bainskloof Pass.
Susana “Sarie” de Villiers admitted to deliberately driving the vehicle carrying the children off the pass in November 2021.
The crash killed two-year-old Joshua Booysen, five-year-old Gradwell Booysen and eight-year-old Caleb Booysen.
De Villiers survived the crash.
Crash Happened Near Bainskloof Pass Roadworks
The incident happened on 20 November 2021.
According to the report, De Villiers drove through roadwork barriers near the top of Bainskloof Pass before the vehicle plunged about 80 metres down the mountainside.
The court heard that the three boys had spent time with De Villiers and other family members in Wellington before she drove them away later that afternoon.
Evidence before the court found that she intentionally steered the vehicle off the road and down the steep mountainside.
Children had Been in Foster Care
The Worcester Regional Court previously heard that the boys had been living in foster care for about six months before their deaths.
This followed concerns linked to their parents’ alleged substance abuse, which led to the children being removed from the family home.
During the trial, De Villiers admitted responsibility for the deaths.
In her plea explanation, she claimed she believed she was protecting the children from a life of hardship and suffering.
Court Rejected Diminished Responsibility Argument
After the crash, De Villiers was admitted to hospital in Paarl. She later underwent psychiatric observation and was transferred to Valkenberg Hospital for further assessment.
A panel of psychiatric experts found that she was fit to stand trial and could understand the difference between right and wrong at the time of the incident.
The panel reportedly found that her actions were deliberate, although impulsive.
Her defence argued that her emotional state reduced her responsibility. However, the State rejected this and pursued premeditated murder charges.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the conviction.
De Villiers remains in custody and is expected back in the Worcester Regional Court for sentencing on 7 August 2026.
I’m a writer, editor and software developer at Newsroom ZA.
I build things, break them (on purpose), then turn the chaos into clean, readable stories. You’ll usually find me bouncing between breaking news, politics and entertainment.