Murder accused Henri van Breda
File photo. Picture: Gallo Images / Eikestad Nuus
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is confident that prosecutors have a strong case against 21-year-old axe murder accused Henri van Breda.
Speaking outside the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after he was released on R100 000 bail‚ NPA spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said: “There is a strong case for him to answer.”
Here are four crucial questions that Van Breda will have to answer if he goes on trial for allegedly killing his mother‚ father and brother and the attempted murder of his sister Marli:
•Why did he call his girlfriend shortly after the family‚ including himself according to his version of events‚ was attacked?
•What did he wait nearly four hours after the attack to call emergency services for help?
•How did blood from family members targeted in the attack find its way onto his sleeping shorts and white socks – a key piece of evidence acquired by the state?
•Why were a kitchen knife and the axe allegedly used in the attack found on the premises?
Ntabazalila said the lengthy probe was handled through a programme called “prosecutor guided investigations” which ensured that all the T’s were crossed and the I’s were dotted so that there was a good chance of a successful prosecution.
“Does the state have a strong case‚” asked a reporter? “We believe we do. There is a strong case for him to answer. It’s backed up by some evidence that we have but we will still have to go to court and prove that case beyond any reasonable doubt‚” Ntabazalila said.
Meanwhile Van Breda looked like a free man when he strode out of court and eased into the back seat of an idling BMW.
But paying bail of R100 000 did not give him unfettered freedom until his next appearance at the High Court in Cape Town on September 9.
The state and defence team agreed on a set of strict bail conditions which include that:
•He lives at an address furnished to the state;
•He inform the investigating officer‚ in writing‚ of any planned change in residential address – before changing to that address;
•He surrender his passport to the South African Police Service;
•He Hands over any other travel documents or passports in his possession;
•He may not leave the Western Cape;
•He may not come within 500m of any international port of entry;
•He report every Monday and Friday to the commanding officer of the Community Service Centre of the South African Police Service in Parow during specific hours;
•He may not make contact or communicate in any way with state witnesses – which could potentially include his sister Marli who survived the attack; and
•He present himself to the high court on September 9‚ or elsewhere determined by the courts‚ until the case is finalised.
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