'They were the most loving family'

Cape Town - “They were a stunning, stunning family,” a close friend of the murdered Van Breda family told News24 on Wednesday.

The friend, who asked not to be named, was speaking in the wake of the attack on the Van Breda family in their home on a luxury golf estate in Stellenbosch on Tuesday.

The bodies of Martin van Breda, 55, his wife Teresa, 54, and their son Rudi, 22 were found in their De Zalze Golf Estate home on Tuesday morning. Their 16-year-old daughter, Marli, is in a critical condition in hospital and their 20-year-old son, Henri, was slightly injured.

It is believed they were attacked with an axe. The motive for the attack is unclear and police are keeping a tight lid on any information.

The friend, who met with the family at a social event only days ago, said the family was very close.

“I’m just shocked, I can’t believe it,” she said.

She described Martin as a quiet and calm man while Teresa was excited to be going to Italy where she would be doing a cooking course.

Rudi was studying engineering in Australia and Henri was also a student, the friend said.

De Zalze Homeowners Association chairperson Eben Potgieter told News24 earlier they had found no breach of security. He said there was an 8km fence surrounding the estate and there were security cameras around the property.

 According to a resident, who wished to remain anonymous, Henri  had been found by a neighbour sitting outside the family home with a phone in his hand.

“He was a happy, funny, fresh, young man,” the family friend told News24 of Henri, who is widely reported as being questioned by police as a potential witness.

As to speculation that a family member was involved, the friend said she could not believe it as she witnessed no family tension.

“They were just the loveliest family.”