A suspect has finally been arrested in connection with the brutal axe murder of a family at a larney golf estate in Stellenbosch, more than a year later.
Police confirmed that a 21-year-old man has been arrested after he apparently walked into the Stellenbosch Police Station yesterday and handed himself over.
On January 26, 2015, Martin van Breda, 54, his wife Theresa, 55, and their 22-year-old son Rudi were killed when they were attacked with an axe at their home at the De Zalze Estate.
Seventeen-year-old Marli van Breda survived the attack. The girl suffered serious head injuries, and her throat was nearly cut.
Marli has retrograde amnesia and can reportedly remember very little about the attack.
Her brother Henri, 21, a suspected drug addict, escaped with only a few scratches.
It has been widely reported by various news agencies and on social media that Henri has handed himself over to police.
Reports also indicate his girlfriend and attorney were with him when he surrendered.
Cops would not confirm this.
It’s unclear whether any new information emerged which led to the arrest.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed that one person was arrested at Stellenbosch Police Station.
In a statement Traut says: “Our investigation into the three murders and an attempted murder which were perpetrated on the De Zalze Estate during January 2015 led to the arrest of a 21-year-old suspect this afternoon [Monday] when he handed himself over to the Stellenbosch police at 3.30pm.”
He adds: “The suspect is due to make a court appearance [today] in Stellenbosch to face three counts of murder and one of attempted murder.”
Marli turns 18 in October and since the attack has been in the care of an aunt and uncle, as ordered by the Western Cape High Court.
She and Henri have been living separately since the attack, family did confirm if the siblings are in contact.
The Van Bredas have reportedly hired a member of the legal team who represented British businessman Shrien Dewani who was cleared of all charges relating to his wife Anni Dewani’s death in 2010.