3-08pm
The story that has gripped our city has been the brutal attack on the Stellenbosch- based van Breda family. After asking four questions, last week, each day I look for news pertaining to the story. Today it was there in chunks as the headline of the Sunday Times.
You can read the article online here.
Is wise to caution against ‘trial by Media’ – I noticed in this article that there were already discrepancies between it and another that appeared on the You website. That contradiction is that the date of death, according to the You who report that it was documented at the Memorial service of those who died, that they had passed away on Monday 26th January. The above article says 3am Tuesday 27th January.
The memorial service sheet…
Picture by Mia Lindeque/EWN
The main points that came out of the Sunday Times article is that the injuries Henri sustained were self-inflicted. Also, apparently, he had spent some time in a rehab centre for drug and mental health issues.
The police clearly are wanting to do the best investigation they can. According to this report, they will not make an arrest until they have managed to get a statement from Marli, who is, according to unnamed sources, making a remarkable recovery. She is allowed no visitors – the police don’t want any of this media circus to influence what she knows.
This all paints a picture of a true-life horror movie – with brutality too gruesome to think about. Bizarre twists are underscored with the tragedy of pain and the thought of the devastation of a young girl whose life has been ripped apart. While Henri has not been accused of anything, if he is involved, he has to live with himself for the rest of his life.
As I ponder all these things, it brings me back to what the Bible has to say about human sin. Psalm 10 always struck me that way back in those days, the crime of the times, the savagery of violence, the base sinful heart of mankind was as common in those days as it is today. When you read this, you will understand what I mean…
1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”
7 His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9 like a lion in cover he lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God will never notice; He covers his face and never sees.”
So many things the wicked man says are flawed. God will notice. He sees every thing. Judgement will come. The Bible also says there is nothing new under the sun.
The truth will come out in this. The truth will come out with the Shrien Dewani case and with Oscar Pistorius . It may not be in this lifetime, but it will be in time to come – if not on earth, then in heaven.
God sees it all.
Keep short accounts with God.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx