The case against Henri van Breda
As the alleged axe murderer awaits his fate, here’s a run-down of the evidence presented in court so far
WHAT’S been going through hi s mind? How does it feel for Henri van Breda to sit on the hard wooden benches of the high court in Cape Town listening as witnesses and experts give testimony about how his parents and brother were bludgeoned to death with an axe – murders he stands accused of committing?
Henri (22) has offered few clues as to how he’s feeling. Day in and day out he’s sat stony-faced – there were only a few occasions when it all got too much and he broke down, tears running down his face. But there were no members of his immediate family to comfort him – three of them were slaughtered during that night of bloody terror. The only one who remains is his sister, Marli (now 18), and she hasn’t been present in court.
For months South Africans were hungry for information about the case so they were riveted as details emerged in court about what actually happened in the Van Breda family home at the luxury De Zalze golf estate near Stellenbosch on the fateful morning of 27 January 2015.
It’s emerged that hardened policemen and forensics experts were stunned when they arrived at the crime scene and saw what had been done to Henri’s parents, Martin (54) and Teresa (55), and his brother, Rudi (22). Marli suffered such bad head wounds she was fighting for her life. Henri, on the other hand, walked away with only superficial wounds.
Something didn’t quite add up but police were tight-lipped about the details. In the days following the murders rumours and speculation abounded. There was even talk that Henri had previously had a brain tumour – but this could never be confirmed.
For 18 months the country wondered whether anyone would ever be arrested for the murders. During this time Henri – a former physics student – tried to carry on with his life, enrolling at a chef ’s school in Cape Town and even finding a girlfriend. Love blossomed between him and Daniellé Janse van Rensburg – her social media accounts are filled with pictures of them spending time together.
Then one day Henri presented himself at the Stellenbosch police station where he was formally charged with murder as well as defeating the ends of justice. After spending the night in the holding cells he was released on bail of R100 000, and the long wait began for his trial to start.
On Henri’s arrival for his first day in court he was met by scores of media – some flying in from as far afield as Australia, where the Van Breda family had lived until 2014. Cameras flashed and people stared as Henri made his way into court accompanied by his legal team.
While experts weighed in with their theories and witnesses gave testimony it will ultimately fall to Judge Siraj Desai to deliver a verdict. Here’s a run-down of what’s unfolded in court so far which the judge might take into consideration.