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AS IT HAPPENED: Henri tells his version of the axe murders

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24 Apr 2017

One of the intruders who attacked and killed the Van Breda family laughed as he went for the father, murder-accused Henri van Breda told the Western Cape High Court on Monday.

From what he could see, his father, Martin, tried to tackle the assailant, Van Breda said in his plea explanation which was read out in court.

Read the full story here

24 Apr 2017

24 Apr 2017

Court adjourns. 

24 Apr 2017

In loco inspection at the crime scene is expected for tomorrow.

24 Apr 2017

An axe and a knife is being shown to Kleynhans - recognises the axe, but not the knife.

24 Apr 2017

I opened the wallet, saw there was cash in the wallet, I think if it was a burglary, it would have been taken.

24 Apr 2017

Paramedics asked me to check bag for medical aid cards, he says.

24 Apr 2017

Kleynhans says there weren't visible signs of blood having being washed away - inferring crime scene not tampered with.

24 Apr 2017

Kleynhans saw emergency numbers printed on a paper stuck on the fridge.

24 Apr 2017

Looked like blood droplets on ground where paramedics had carried Marli.

24 Apr 2017

On property was a black gate, with a key in it. Intruders would have left through there. The gate was closed.

Kleynhans says there were no scuff marks indicating someone may have jumped house's wall. 

24 Apr 2017

Went out back door, found a golf cart and golf bag. White walls surround the house, about 1.3m high.

24 Apr 2017

 Went back into the house, trying to find how access was gained. Found no sign of forced entry.

24 Apr 2017

Kitchen door was open. Windows were slightly open, no sign of forced entry.

24 Apr 2017

Thought something was strange. Found two cigarettes on the floor. If you open a packet of cigarettes, you wont tear it open. Smoked without an ashtray.

24 Apr 2017

Court is now looking at photos of crime scene.

24 Apr 2017

I took cellphone photos and moved the doorstep, saw a man laying on the bed and another toward the bathroom side of the room.

24 Apr 2017

 Henri was sitting in the ambulance. That was the last time I saw him.

24 Apr 2017

Paramedics couldn't touch or disturb scene. Took four photos of the scene so that they could move the one lady.

24 Apr 2017

Paramedics arrived, scene cordoned off.

24 Apr 2017

Upstairs, the lady laying on her stomach was moving her arm and leg. I could save a life, and contacted paramedics for help.

24 Apr 2017

Didn't fit in with my experience of crime scene. There was a laptop on the table, plugged into wall, a handbag on the table.

TV was still there.

Usually a burglary would see whole house deurmekaar.

24 Apr 2017

Frist thing I noticed, I couldn't see anything wrong. Only after I ascended the stairs. Downstairs looked fine.

24 Apr 2017

I climbed over axe, went up. Saw person laying on back and on stomach. [Marli and her mother]

24 Apr 2017

 He didn't say anything else to me. Entered the house, scanned and moved up steps, saw a bloody axe laying there.

24 Apr 2017

I could hear in his voice he was emotional. There was no tears, like someone who was blowing off steam.

24 Apr 2017

Checked if he was okay. I smelt alcohol on his breath. Suspect he drank a short while ago. I could smell is strongly.

24 Apr 2017

Said no, his family was attacked with axe, were upstairs in the bedrooms.

24 Apr 2017

I asked him if he needed medical help. Could see blood. Rubbed his head, asked him if he was there alone.

24 Apr 2017

I asked him to move in my direction and do what I say. I asked him if he was okay. In Afrikaans, but communication wasn't so lekker, started speaking English.

24 Apr 2017

The man was nervous, no crying. He was emotional, followed my instructions.

That person was Henri van Breda.

24 Apr 2017

Kept the gun 45 degree angle. Man came out of house, I told him to come toward where I was standing. Told him to sit on the ground.

24 Apr 2017

Got out of car, with my weapon. Possibility that the suspect/s could still be there.

24 Apr 2017

12 Goske Street was in a cul-de-sac. At scene, I noticed that the front door was slightly open. Went to the door, and door opened. A man in grey shorts, white socks and blood on his body was there.

24 Apr 2017

 It was easy to find with his help. The map was confusing, Kleynhans said.

24 Apr 2017

 Asked an employee there to show me where the house was.

24 Apr 2017

Moved to the other gate, asked security where Goske Street was. They gave me a map of De Zalze Estate.

24 Apr 2017

Under no circumstances could I ever patrol there without estate management being informed.

24 Apr 2017

Had one or two complaints of burglary and theft there in the past, got same treatment there in the past.

24 Apr 2017

Despite being police, with uniform and marked vehicle, not allowed entry. Had to ask management for permission.

24 Apr 2017

When we arrived, security stopped us, saying we need to go to a different gate.

24 Apr 2017

Was told it was a serious charge. Established attack was with an axe.

24 Apr 2017

Traffic was bad that time of the morning. It was a week day.

24 Apr 2017

On R44, got call back complaint changed to Code 10 - serious assault.

24 Apr 2017

Code 12 is not considered serious enough for blue lights and sirens. Got call at 7am that morning. Sergeant Jonkers and Kleynhans responded.

24 Apr 2017

Kleynhans: We received a complaint; code 12 (fighting/assault)

24 Apr 2017

24 Apr 2017

24 Apr 2017

Court adjourns for tea.

The media is asked to remove all camera equipment, as no recordings of witnesses is allowed.

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