Cape Town - The attorney who helped get Shrien Dewani off the hook for murder has been secured to represent Henri van Breda, the 20-year-old who survived the recent murders of his family members in Stellenbosch.
This is the latest development after multimillionaire Martin van Breda, his wife Teresa and their son Rudi were murdered at their exclusive De Zalze Golf Estate home on January 27.
Their daughter , is still being treated for severe head trauma and a severed jugular after being “axed” in the attack.
The youngest son Henri, 20, had scratches on his arms and was treated at the scene before being escorted away by police.
Henri has since been released into the care of relatives, who secured the services of barrister Pieter Botha.
It was Botha’s brutal cross-examination style that had punched holes in the State’s case against Dewani, who had been on trial for the murder of his Swedish wife Anni in Cape Town in 2010.
Dewani has since returned home to the UK after being acquitted.
“Under the circumstances, the family just thought it prudent to appoint the best legal team for Henri,” said Van Breda family spokesman Ben Rootman.
Rootman said the 16-year-old daughter’s condition is stable and she is making good progress.
“She shows movement on both sides of her body. She is not talking, but is showing emotions and recognises close family from photographs,” he said.
The De Zalze Golf Estate’s management had said there was no security breach at the estate on January 27
.
The family has urged the public not to speculate, saying it adds nothing to the investigation.
“The police should be allowed to do their work and for the law to follow its course,” Rootman said.
Last week police reported “significant progress is being made”.
On Sunday, police spokesman Tembinkosi Kinana said: “Once we are in a position to share any new developments regarding the De Zalze murders, this office will make an official announcement.”
Cape Times