A mum says she has forgiven the 12-year-old boy who killed her teen son while taking his family’s car for a joyride.
Malcolm Booysen was just 14 when he was hit by the car after going for a scooter ride around his neighbourhood, succumbing to his injuries at the scene.
The circumstances were devastating all round – with the discovery that the driver was a fellow child.
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For Malcolm’s grieving mum, Helen-Ann Pelser, the accused pleading guilty has been the first step she needed to ‘forgive’ him.
She had been a constant face at the magistrate’s court, waiting to hear the plea.
“I know he’s young, a child, but justice must take its course,” 43-year-old Helen-Ann, who lives in Brakpan, in the Gauteng province of South Africa, told Need To Know.
“He was irresponsible, and he killed my son.
“As soon as the sentencing proceedings are completed, I know we’ll find acceptance.
“Every court appearance makes the wounds deeper.
“Perhaps an apology would have helped, even though we know it will never bring Malcolm back.
“It was difficult, but I can say today I no longer hate him, the boy who killed my boy.
“I have forgiven him.”
Malcolm was killed almost instantly on 7 June 2025 when he was hit by a vehicle and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
The accused driver cannot be identified due to being a minor, but he was confirmed to be a 12-year-old boy who had taken the family’s white Mazda car for a joyride.
He appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on 30 June this year, where he pleaded guilty to charges of culpable homicide and driving without a licence.
Malcolm had been out riding his scooter through the ‘quiet’ neighbourhood.
His father, Quinton, was walking behind and saw a car speeding past before hearing a loud crash.
He rushed towards the scene and saw Malcolm lying, lifeless, on the ground.
Helen-Ann said: “My husband saw what Malcolm looked like, and it still gives him sleepless nights.
“To lose a child is the worst thing that can happen to a parent.”
The mother herself had heard something amiss, describing a sound like a loud thunderclap from where she was in their home nearby, followed by it feeling “unnaturally quiet”.
A knock on the door followed, with someone telling her what had happened.
She added: “I immediately knew it had something to do with my children.
“I was completely beside myself.
“I didn’t want to go closer to Malcolm’s body or lift the blanket . . . I didn’t want that to be my last memory of him.”
Since the devastating accident happened so close to home, the family have moved to rented accommodation in a different area.
They chose to focus on the happier memories of their son, who they describe as the “sweetest boy” and a “gentle child” who loved collecting Hot Wheels cars.
Helen-Ann said: “He was so fond of this collection and he didn’t allow anyone to play with it.
“And it’s still like that – his younger brothers aren’t allowed to touch them.
“Malcolm [also] loved to draw, and things like a Mother’s Day card are so special.
“I keep it here so I can look at it when I miss him.
“We had a close bond.
“Everywhere I went, Malcolm wanted to be right next to me.
“And now he’s no longer here.
“His death has left a void that can never be filled.
“The whole family still struggles to accept his passing.
“We all miss him so much.
“It’s not fair that my boy is gone.”
A criminal law expert, Dr Llewelyn Curlewis, told YOU Magazine that South Africa doesn’t easily send children under 16 to prison.
As such, he believes the accused is likely to receive a suspended or postponed sentence, and that the focus will be on “rehabilitation rather than punishment”.
Local news reports state police confirmed that consultation with social workers and correctional services is underway ahead of sentencing.
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