Today’s 26th January 2016. The events that took place at De Zalze residential golf estate just outside Stellenbosch one year ago today remain a mystery. It was on the morning of 27th January 2015 that Cape Town awoke to the news that there had been a violent brutal family slaying at the exclusive resort.
Photo from You Magazine 21/1/2016
Whatever happened on the day of 26th January 2015 would culminate that night, in a bloodbath resulting in the deaths of Martin, Theresa and Rudi van Breda. Marli van Breda, the youngest in the family was found clinging to life. The middle son, Henri, walked away with self-inflicted none-life-threatening injuries. He was questioned and released. He was kept away from his sister for many months. Marli spent several gruelling months recovering in hospital, most of which were under full police protection.
Eventually, news of the van Bredas and who could have killed them, fizzled out. Police kept quiet. Henri stayed with family. After her prolonged stay in a medical facilities, Marli was put in the care of different family members. Eventually, she went back to school and soon after, she was allowed to see Henri again. Marli cannot remember anything of that night.
Three people slain by an axe-wielding killer who in a blood-thirsty frenzy hacked to death two strong men and a woman. There was no apparent breach of security at the estate that night. No forced entry at the house. No screams heard. No emergency calls made at the time of the attacks. Just evidence of a surprise assault in two different places in the house.
The axe was brand new. It was said that a cell phone found in the house had an internet search made on it on axe murders.
You Magazine front page caption
Month by month, blog by blog, I followed (and wrote on) the news reports that came out. Nine days after the attacks I wrote a piece entitled If Henri Didn’t Do It, Who Did? One year after the murders, the questions I asked then, remain unanswered today.
While life carries on for Henri and Marli. Henri may study this year. Marli lives with family members and continues her education. But their lives will never be the same.
There will be no Mom and Dad at all the big important events. Graduations, weddings, grandchildren, seeing Rudi marry -none of it.
The most bizarre thing is that there is a killer on the loose. Whoever did this, is still out there. What’s interesting, is, according to the Sunday Times (January 24, 2016) is that Henri is allowed to enter the De Zalze Golf Estate only under strict conditions.
Sunday Times Article January 24, 2016
The Estate manager, Boet Grobler, is quoted in the article as saying, that until the murders of the van Bredas, ‘there hadn’t been a single burglary at De Zalze.’ He went onto say, “We have an agreement with the family Henri can come to the estate but that it has to be controlled.”
The Sunday Times article also said, “Van Breda family spokesman Ben Rootman denied a request for an interview with Henri this week, and would not say where the young man, now 21, was living.”
Why? If he has nothing to hide and he was not involved why fuel suspicion by denying a request for an interview?
Another question with no answer.
But one day all of these questions will be answered, even if it take until eternity. I defer to what the Bible says,
Romans 14:12
So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
One day, all will be revealed.
Live life to the full. It is fragile.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx