ELDERLY WOMAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS' DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR PREMEDITATED MURDERS OF THREE GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the effective sentence of 20 years' direct imprisonment imposed on 71-year-old Susara Johanna De Villiers following her conviction for the premeditated murders of her three great-grandchildren.

The Worcester Regional Court convicted De Villiers of the premeditated murders of her great-grandchildren, Caleb (8), Gradwell (5) and Joshua (2). The court heard that on 20 November 2021, she asked the children to bid their great-grandfather goodbye, told them that no one would hurt them again, and then deliberately drove them over the Bainskloof Pass.

The court sentenced her to 20 years' direct imprisonment on each count of murder but ordered that the sentences run concurrently in terms of Section 280(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, resulting in an effective sentence of 20 years' imprisonment.

Before her conviction and sentencing, De Villiers pleaded guilty in terms of Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act. However, Regional Court Prosecutor Cornelius Prinsloo declined to accept paragraph 3.19 of her plea explanation, in which she claimed diminished responsibility. The court consequently entered a plea of not guilty on her behalf, while the remainder of her statement was accepted as formal admissions in terms of Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

In her admissions, De Villiers stated that her motive was to spare both herself and the children from further suffering. During her viva voce evidence in November 2025, she testified that it "did not feel like herself" and that "something switched off", adding that she was uncertain about the exact point at which she made the decision and that, at times, she did not believe she was doing anything wrong.

She was subsequently referred to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for a 30-day mental observation. In a report compiled in June 2024, the psychiatric panel found that she was mentally fit, capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of her actions, and able to act in accordance with that appreciation. The panel found no evidence of psychosis and described her conduct as "goal-directed but impulsive". She did not contest the findings.

Evidence led by the State revealed that the children had previously been removed from their parents due to neglect and substance abuse. They initially resided with De Villiers and her husband for approximately three months before being placed with a maternal relative. About a week before the incident, the children's mother and her partner were arrested on charges relating to child neglect.

The court further heard that De Villiers collected the children for the day while their caregiver attended a wedding. The children spent the day swimming and playing at her home. Between approximately 16:30 and 17:00, she placed them in her vehicle, ostensibly to return them to their caregiver. The children cried and begged to remain with her. She told them to say goodbye to their great-grandfather and assured them that no one would hurt them again.

In his arguments, Prosecutor Prinsloo submitted that De Villiers drove in the opposite direction of the children's home and travelled approximately 23 kilometres to Bainskloof Pass, passing several traffic control points along the way. He argued that she intended to kill both herself and the children by driving off a cliff.

The court heard that, upon reaching the summit, De Villiers contemplated stopping and calling her husband or continuing through to Ceres. Instead, she proceeded through a gap in the barriers, causing the vehicle to plunge down the mountainside before coming to rest in a riverbed below. De Villiers was wearing a seatbelt, while the children were unrestrained. All three children died from multiple blunt force injuries. De Villiers survived the crash.

Evidence further established that she was sober at the time, the vehicle was mechanically sound, and visibility conditions were good.

To strengthen the State's case, the prosecution submitted documentary evidence in terms of Section 212 of the Criminal Procedure Act, including the post-mortem reports of the deceased children, an accident reconstruction report, and a mechanical analysis of the vehicle following the collision.

In mitigation, De Villiers testified about her difficult upbringing, experiences of poverty, and three suicide attempts during adolescence. She also described the emotional impact of a motor vehicle accident in January 2020 involving her and her stepdaughter, who later died from burn injuries sustained in the collision. She testified that she suffered from depression following the accident and her stepdaughter's death and received limited treatment.

In aggravation of sentence, Prinsloo argued that a lengthy custodial sentence was warranted. While acknowledging the personal hardships and depression experienced by the accused, he submitted that these factors could not outweigh the deliberate and premeditated killing of three young children entrusted to her care. He further argued that children are entitled to protection from the very adults entrusted with their wellbeing.

The NPA commends the diligent work of the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Michael Pretorius, and Prosecutor Cornelius Prinsloo, whose scrutiny of the accused's plea ultimately strengthened the State's case and ensured that justice was served for the victims.

The NPA remains committed to holding perpetrators of violent crimes accountable and ensuring justice for society's most vulnerable, particularly children.

Issued by:

Eric Ntabazalila

NPA Regional Spokesperson: Western Cape Division

Email: entabazalila@npa.gov.za