Henri van Breda has been sentenced to three life terms and will only be eligible to apply for parole 25 years from now.
Western Cape High Court judge Siraj Desai on Thursday sentenced the 23-year-old to life behind bars for the “savage” axe attacks on his own family in January 2015.
Van Breda has denied killing his parents, Martin and Teresa, and his older brother, Rudi, at their home in the security estate De Zalze in Stellenbosch.
But Judge Desai said: “It was cold-blooded murder. It was excessive and gratuitous and intended to cause maximum harm.”
Van Breda was also sentenced to 15 years for the attempted murder of his sister Marli and on the count of defeating the ends of justice, he received 12 months.
The sentences will run concurrently and Van Breda can apply for parole in 2043.
Judge Desai said Martin died “a heroic death” and was found lying over the slain body of his eldest child, Rudi.
Henri killed Rudi while he slept. Martin was hacked to death while defending Rudi. Henri killed his mother with the axe in the passage, where an injured Marli was also found.
The girlfriend of Henri van Breda, Danielle Janse van Rensburg, with family members. Photo: Henk Kruger/African News Agency
Desai said the murders had been carried out with “unbridled violence” and no motive had ever been revealed to the court.
“We know from an independent witness that there was a loud argument in the hours before,” he said.
Desai said defence lawyer Piet Botha had “simply and bluntly” raised two mitiga- ting factors in Van Breda’s favour - his young age and the fact that he has no previous convictions.
Desai said the murders were premeditated and carried out with intent to kill.
All of the victims sustained similar injuries, sharp and blunt force trauma to the head.
He said Van Breda had time to fetch the axe and also had lengthy conversations with emergency services while Marli was fighting for her life.
“These attacks show a high level of innate cruelty and disregard for the welfare of your own family. Each attack warrants the severest penalty possible.
“We have no explanation for what you did, you have no remorse. No substantial and compelling circumstances have been placed before us, there appear to be none,” says Desai.
Van Breda appeared unmoved in the dock as he stood and listened to Desai.
The defence plans to appeal both the conviction and sentence, which will be heard by Judge Desai on 27 June.
ANA