ALL TOGETHER: Henri, Marli, Rudi, Theresa and Martin van Breda . Three members of the family died at the hands of an axe murderer in their home on a golf estate. © Picture Supplied
Van Breda neighbours relieved at development
HENRI van Breda is expected to appear in court today in connection with the brutal axe murder of his parents and older brother last year.
Wealthy businessman Martin van Breda‚ his wife Teresa and son Rudi were hacked to death on the De Zalze Estate in Stellenbosch in January.
Their daughter, Marli‚ 17‚ sustained severe head injuries and subsequently suffered from amnesia.
Henri was found on the scene with minor injuries.
“Our investigation into the three murders and an attempted murder … led to the arrest of a 21-year-old suspect this afternoon when he handed himself over to the Stellenbosch police at 3.30pm,” police spokesman Andre Traut said.
Henri’s lawyer, Lorinda van Niekerk, confirmed that he had handed himself over.
The upmarket De Zalze Estate was rocked by the news of the vicious murders 18 months ago.
Shortly after the attack, reports surfaced that Henri had allegedly taken four hours to contact emergency services and that his injuries had been self-inflicted.
At the time, a man living in a shack 200m from the estate claimed he was Henri’s drug runner and that Henri was taking tik.
One of Rudi’s closest friends, Sam Fearon, said yesterday he was amazed by the news of the arrest, and spoke of the long wait for the day to come.
“We haven’t stopped thinking about it. We have been checking up once a week for news – any news,” he said.
Fearon said they were not one bit surprised that Henri had handed himself over.
“We always knew. It was just a matter of time,” he said.
While the arrest did not bring him closure, it brought it one step closer.
“I want to hear a confession – and that will bring me closure,” Fearon said.
“I was close to Rudi. We became friends when we were about 13 – Henri was 10 at the time. Marli was really little.
“Even back then, I just felt he wasn’t right,” Fearon said.
“He was shy and quiet and forever playing video games.”
Eben Potgieter, who was head of the estate’s home owners’ association at the time of the triple murder, said the residents felt relieved.
“We’ve been asking questions regularly about what’s taking so long – we always felt it was an isolated incident,” he said.
“We now feel exonerated but must wait for the trial.”
Former sports commentator Martin Locke, a former neighbour of the Van Bredas, said: “It has been uppermost in people’s minds since the day it happened.
“Everyone has been wondering why there has been no movement on it … people are relieved that it wasn’t just being swept under the carpet.”
Van Breda family spokesman Ben Roodtman said while the family took note of the developments, inquiries should be put to police.
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