Carlo Petersen
“They were a perfect family.” That was how a close friend described a leading city businessman and his family after three of them were found axed to death at their home in the exclusive De Zalze Golf Estate in Stellenbosch yesterday.
Alexander Boshoff, 19, told the Cape Times yesterday how he came to know and love Martin van Breda, 55, his wife Theresa, 54, daughter, and sons Rudi, 22, and Henri, 20.
Martin, Theresa and Rudi were found slain at Wijndal on the estate, while his daughter was taken to Stellenbosch Medi-Clinic with severe injuries.
A man, believed to be a relative, was taken into police custody yesterday, but police could not confirm that he was arrested.
“At this stage there have been no arrests,” said police spokesman Andre Traut.
Speaking outside the medi-clinic after hearing news of the incident, Boshoff said: “Our families often spent holidays together. We have known each other for years. Martin was one of my dad’s business partners at Curro Holdings.”
Curro Holdings owned a number of private schools in South Africa.
“They just moved back from Australia and had been back since June last year.”
Boshoff, who hails from Johannesburg but is currently studying BAccLLB at Stellenbosch University, said the Van Bredas were a “typical happy family”. “They moved around a lot because of Martin’s business, but Henri and Rudi never really complained. They were like a perfect family,” he said.
Traut said they were investigating the attack.
“The circumstances surrounding the murder of three family members are being investigated by police,” said Traut.
“It is alleged that they were attacked and killed in their home, which is situated in De Zalze Golf Estate in Stellenbosch.
“The deceased are a mother and father aged 54 and 55 respectively, and a son of 22 years old. During the incident the daughter of 16 and a son of 20 were injured and subsequently admitted to a nearby hospital.
“Police are investigating murder cases and no arrest has been made.”
Emergency medical services spokesman Robert Daniels said it was clear the victims had been killed with an axe.
“What I can say is they were not shot, the patients were axed. The daughter was rushed to hospital with severe head trauma and a severed jugular,” Daniels said. “The other son had minor bruises on his arms. He was treated at the scene.”
Stellenbosch Medi-Clinic spokeswoman Carla Hanekom said: “We treated one patient, who is in a critical condition and is going to be transferred to Vergelegen Private Hospital. A neurosurgeon has been attending to the patient.”
Media were barred from the golf estate for much of the day yesterday, but were eventually allowed in for a press briefing after 3pm.
De Zalze homeowners’ association chairman Eben Potgieter said: “We wish to report that there was no breach of our security and we believe it was an isolated incident, confined to the scene of the crime. We are not in a position to speculate on the details.”
Resident Shauna Mac-leod, 24, who lives near the Van Breda residence, said the incident had left her shocked and in fear. “It’s scary to think it happened right here, but there were no signs of a burglary, so that’s even more of a concern.”