Cape Town - Axe murder accused and budding chef Henri van Breda, already charged in one of the most high-profile murder cases in the country, is in more trouble - he and his girlfriend now face drug charges.
In a further twist, two briefcases were on Friday stolen from the parked car of Van Breda’s lawyers in Green Point, although police say the theft will not affect the case docket.
Van Breda, who is about five months away from the proposed date for his murder trial, appeared fleetingly in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a charge of possession of drugs, Western Cape spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority Eric Ntabazalila confirmed.
He shared the dock with his girlfriend and co-accused Daniellé Janse van Rensburg. The couple had spent the night in custody.
She was released on bail of R200 and he on bail of R1 000. That case was postponed to October 12 for further investigation.
In the axe attack case, Van Breda could also be in for a few surprises when he is finally provided with a detailed account of the State’s case against him.
The National Prosecuting Authority on Friday revealed the allegations levelled against Van Breda, accused of killing three members of his family at their De Zalze golf estate home last year, were not the same as when the investigation started.
“The indictment sets out clearly what is in the State’s case, contrary to what it was when it was still under investigation,” Ntabazalila said.
PICS: #HenrivanBreda’s pre-trial hearing set
He has, however, left it to those following the case to read between the lines, saying he was not at liberty to say how the allegations had been refined.
All will be revealed when Van Breda is formally served with the indictment and accompanying summary of facts ahead of his trial, which has been provisionally set down for February 6.
The trial is likely to be lengthy as there are 141 names on the list of State witnesses.
Since there are a few who speak Xhosa, an interpreter will have to translate some of the testimony.
Van Breda’s appearance in the Western Cape High Court on Friday was brief, but accompanied by much fanfare as photographers and cameramen swarmed around him. Dressed in a blue suit and sporting a beard, Van Breda was a far cry from the boyish, clean-shaven young man who was arrested last year.
He stayed composed for several minutes before court orderlies ushered him away from lensmen to an enclosed holding area usually reserved for witnesses.
There are two State advocates for the prosecution - Susan Galloway and Megan Blows.
Van Breda has appointed defence counsel Pieter Botha, one of the advocates who secured an acquittal for British businessman Shrien Dewani in 2014, when he was tried for the murder of his wife, Anni Hindocha.
Van Breda is to make one more appearance in court for a pre-trial conference on November 18.
Before the trial commences, the prosecution will comb through cellphone and computer data, as well as DNA evidence, all of which forms part of the investigation.
Van Breda has been charged with three counts of premeditated murder, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice. The latter charge stems from allegations that he fed police false information.
It is alleged he killed his mother, father and brother at their Stellenbosch home last January. His parents, Martin and Teresa van Breda and his brother Rudi died in the attack and his sister Marli survived.
Marli, who was not at court on Friday, was hospitalised with life-threatening injuries after the attack. She underwent extensive surgery, from which she has now recovered.
An axe, which the State believes was used in the attacks, was recovered from the scene.
Van Breda is out on bail of R100 000 under strict conditions.
He may not make contact with any of the State witnesses, which may include his sister, and has to inform the investigating officer of any change of address. The multiple murder accused has also been forbidden from leaving the Western Cape.
Weekend Argus