Cape Town - Neighbours and friends are reeling in shock after members of a popular family were apparently killed with an axe in their home on an exclusive golf estate near Stellenbosch on Tuesday.
Netwerk24 reported on Wednesday that businessman Martin van Breda, 54, his wife Teresa, 55, and their son Rudi, 22, were found dead in their home. Their daughter Marli, 16, is in a critical condition in hospital and son Henri, 20, was apparently slightly injured in the incident.
According to Netwerk24, no arrests have been made and a number of people are being questioned. It is uncertain where the younger son currently is, but reports indicate that he was being questioned as a witness. The Times reported that estate residents saw him being taken away from the scene by police for questioning.
It remains unclear exactly what the motive was or how they were killed, although reports indicate an axe was used.
Netwerk24 reported that Martin van Breda owned the Australian arm of international property company Engel & Völkers and the family had moved back to South Africa from Australia last year. Houses at the De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate, where they lived, average R9m, according to The Times.
Friends described them as "a perfect family", the Cape Times reported. Another friend told the Times the children were very affectionate.
The estate's homeowners association said on Tuesday that there was no breach of security at the estate, which has an 8km fence and security cameras.
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