If ‘thieves’ killed family they left treasure trove

MURDER accused Henri van Breda’s defence has suggested that his family’s killers might be members of a thieving gang – but if so they left behind a treasure trove in the De Zalze Estate home.

Items found in the house by police and later returned to the family included diamond rings, diamond earrings, a flatscreen TV set, at least five laptops and thousands of rand in cash, some in foreign currencies.

Van Breda’s defence suggested the notorious Balaclava Gang, believed to be connected to about 60 break-ins in Stellenbosch and further afield a few years ago, could have been behind the attacks.

But Stellenbosch detective Captain Nicholas Stein, one of the lead investigators instrumental in bringing members of the gang to book, told the Western Cape High Court that the Van Breda murders did not match the gang’s modus operandi.

The house was too securely located to neighbours, there was no sign of forced entry, nothing seemed to have been stolen and there was no sign of the gang drinking their target’s alcohol.

Among the valuables found at the house by police were R1 240 belonging to Henri van Breda, a gold and silver man’s watch, a Pandora woman’s watch, a gold bangle, a gold and diamond ring, a gold ring with seven diamonds, a pair of diamond earrings and the keys to two Mercedes-Benz.

Teresa van Breda’s white handbag was on the dining room table with R880 in cash and half a dozen credit cards.

Martin van Breda’s Rotary watch, gold ring, three cheque books plus small amounts of foreign currency, including $250,

200 and £360 were also in the house.

The keys to two Mercedes-Benz vehicles, including this ML 400, were found in the Van Breda home after three members of the family were murdered.