Van Breda neighbours on stand

ONE neighbour heard men having a massive fight a few hours before the Van Breda axe murders at 12 Goske Street at the De Zalze estate in Stellenbosch – while another heard “nothing at all”.

Earlier this year‚ Stephanie Op’t Hof testified for the state in the Henri van Breda murder trial, where he stands accused of axing his parents and brother to death.

She said she heard aggressive male voices engaged in a fight earlier in the evening and was taken aback.

The sounds – the defence tried unsuccessfully to convince her – were actually the sound track of Star Trek 2.

On Tuesday in the High Court in Cape Town‚ another neighbour – put on the stand by the defence – said “she heard nothing” despite the fact that “sound carries easily” at the Stellenbosch estate.

Annelize Taljaard‚ who lived at number 14 Goske Street with her three children (two at school and one now at university)‚ said she was home that night of January 26 2015.

She heard no fighting before heading to bed at her usual time between 10pm and 10.30pm‚ and then got up as usual around 5am for a swim. It was only after dropping her children at school that she became aware something had gone wrong.

“I saw the ambulances and the police‚” she said‚ recalling the morning when news of the bloody murders spread across the highly fortified estate.

Under cross-examination‚ Taljaard conceded to Megan Blows for the state that there were several buildings between her house and that of the Van Bredas – including a garage‚ a double-storey house under construction and a communal entertainment area. Blows showed Taljaard would not have been able to hear what was happening at the house.

“It is undisputed that three people died that night and one young lady was severely attacked as well.

“The fact that you didn’t hear something doesn’t mean something didn’t happen‚” said Blows‚ “and the fact that you didn’t hear anything doesn’t mean Mrs Op’t Hof didn’t. Unlike you‚ she lived directly opposite the Van Bredas with no buildings inbetween.”

The case continues today. — DDC