Cop gets grilling at #VanBreda trial

“I know we are labouring the point but what’s to come is absolutely crucial” he told Judge Siraj Desai in the Western Cape High Court.

Van Breda is accused of axing to death his parents Martin and Teresa and his brother Rudi – as well as the attempted murder of his sister, Marli.

During his questioning of Warrant Officer Andre Hitchcock, Botha wanted to know how the cop had taken swabs of blood from the axe and if he checked for any signs of blood spatter in the bathroom close to where Martin and Rudi were found.

He also wanted to know how all the evidence was collected bagged and labelled at the crime scene in January 2015.

A clearly bored Henri fiddled with his ring. However, his uncle Andre du Toit, sitting in the gallery, listened to every word.

Henri has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He claims a crazed man armed with an axe attacked him and his family at their De Zalze estate home in Stellenbosch.

Forensic experts have testified that Henri’s wounds, unlike those of the deceased, were shallow and appeared self- inflicted.