Cape Town - More than 16 months after Martin van Breda, his wife Teresa and son Rudi were hacked to death with an axe at De Zalze golf estate in Stellenbosch, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has yet to make a decision to prosecute someone.
A family spokesperson, attorney Ben Rootman, said the family wants the prosecution to proceed promptly.
He said speculation that Van Breda’s 21-year-old son Henri is the alleged murderer adds nothing to the investigative process.
“The police and NPA should be allowed to do their work for the law to follow its course,” he said.
Henri was unharmed, and the Van Bredas’ daughter, Marli, survived the attack after sustaining extensive brain trauma due to her skull being fractured.
Rootman said Marli has retrograde amnesia and cannot recall anything about the attack, which occurred on January 27 last year.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila told the Cape Times on Tuesday that Director of Public Prosecutions Rodney de Kock was in the process of making a decision.
Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk confirmed that police completed their investigation and handed the case to De Kock, who now has to decide whether to prosecute.
Asked if he was able to relay why it took so long to make an arrest and prosecute, Ntabazalila replied: “I cannot as that depends on the decision to be made by the DPP (De Kock).”
Asked if a suspect has been identified, Ntabazalila said: “All that will depend on the decision made by the DPP.”
Rootman said Marli has not been able to make a formal statement.
“All parties and legal representatives concerned reached an agreement that a legal curator be appointed to safeguard her best interests and to report to the high court as to the best way forward for her.
“It is anticipated that once the curator has finalised her investigations, she will make recommendations about where Marli should live and who should be responsible for the various aspects of her everyday life.
“The high court will then be asked to make its final order regarding Marli,” Rootman said.
He could not comment on Henri, saying he has been staying with an uncle in the city.
He said the family has heard nothing from the police, but believed they would rely heavily on forensic evidence.
@carlo_petersen
Cape Times