A South African woman, Susana “Sarie” De Villiers, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of her three great-grandchildren, aged eight, five and 18 months.

According to South African news outlet Nova News, De Villiers was sentenced on Thursday by the Worcester Regional Court in the Western Cape province after pleading guilty to the three murders in March 2025.

The victims were identified as Caleb Booysen, eight; Gradwell Booysen, five; and Joshua Booysen, 18 months.

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

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.

Nova News reported that eyewitnesses told authorities that roadworks were ongoing along Bainskloof Pass, where traffic was being regulated at stop-and-go control points.

The witnesses reportedly said De Villiers drove past the traffic control points without stopping and went through a closed boom gate.

Traffic control officers stopped other motorists to prevent a possible head-on collision. When her vehicle failed to arrive at a fourth control point, a patrol vehicle was sent to investigate.

The vehicle was subsequently discovered off the road, having plunged down the mountain pass.

Caleb and Gradwell died at the scene, while Joshua survived briefly before dying from his injuries, according to the report.

Adverse weather conditions prevented a rescue helicopter from reaching the crash site, forcing rescuers to carry the toddler back up to the road.

The court handed De Villiers a 20-year prison sentence for each murder but ordered the terms to run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of 20 years in prison.

It also declared her unfit to possess a firearm.

During the sentencing, magistrate Clifton Maseti revoked her release on warning and issued a warrant for her committal to prison. (Nigerian Tribune)