Henri van Breda and his father clashed over his drug use in the weeks before the triple axe murders at the family’s Stellenbosch home in January 2015, claims a new book.
In one of many revelations, veteran crime reporter Julian Jansen writes in The De Zalze Murders: The Story Behind the Brutal Axe Attack, that Henri’s alleged tik and dagga habit caused discord in the family and slain father Martin confronted and punished his son.
Quoting family friends, Jansen says Martin had high expectations of his children and was angered that his son was loafing around the house after dropping out of university in Australia, where he was nicknamed “Druggie” because of his clashes with authorities.
Martin retaliated by cutting off his son’s allowance, claims Jansen, who relates how this was not well received by Henri, who already felt alienated by his dad’s favouritism of his eldest brother, Rudi, who was the first victim of the axe attack.
SLAIN: Dad Martin 'favoured' son, Rudi
A close friend of Henri’s slain mother, Teresa, suggests the family was ashamed of their dark secret.
The friend claims she heard about it from her sons, who confided that their childhood friend, Rudi, had told them Henri used dagga and tik.
The same source also relates how she always saw Henri as a loner who didn’t easily make friends.
The book focuses on Henri’s 62-day trial, the family saga unfolding behind the scenes, spiralling legal costs, and the family’s belief in his innocence.
Henri’s defence closed their case this week.
Final arguments are set for February and judgment is expected in March.