South Africa - Martin, 55, Theresa, 54, Rudi van Breda, 22, murdered, 26 Jan 2015 #1

[JudgeJudi]

All assets when we were young was sold and invested by my father into a Pep Stores. When I moved to Pretoria, I lived in a house belonging to Martin.

He lived with them for four months. Henri was about 10 years old.

Martin was not a bookworm. He had a photographic memory. Martin studied at Stellenbosch, and in his second year an engineering company offered him a job. After passing laude, he moved to Pretoria. He completed his MBA in Pretoria.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[Estelle]

Tracey Stewart‏
@Traceyams

Andre Van Breda, Henri's uncle (Martins brother) has been called to the stand by the state @CapeTownEtc #vanbreda

Andre van Breda is a State witness.

 

[JudgeJudi]

He left a good job to start his own business. It was a big success.

Andre is clearly proud as he speaks of his brother's achievements.

He didn't boast about his success, he never bragged about it. When asked, he would glare at you and you would know to stop talking about it.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

When they moved to Australia in 2005, Martin would come to visit every three to four months.

Andre was a member on Martin's trusts. He said his brother had numerous.

He was never rude, disrespectful with his workers and colleagues. He would only shout at me.

He moved back to SA in 2013, children followed in Jan/Feb 2014.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

According to my knowledge, they came back because Teresa wasn't happy in Australia and wanted to be near her family.

They moved officially in 2014, because Martin wanted to expand Edugrow.

The businesses were very strong financially, they were cash accounts.

I can confidently say all his transactions were honest. No hidden agendas. His integrity wouldn't allow it. His strategy was openly discussed. He had no enemies.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

No unhappiness between him and his colleagues and partners. He was an exceptional man.

The last time he saw him was two weeks before murders. He visited in Pretoria. Andre couldn't keep his eyes open that night. There were no signs of any discomfort and that anything was wrong.

He was at the De Zalze house after the murder, after the forensic cleaners cleaned the house.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

Visited the house with my twin brother and our wives. Henri was there. His two aunts from mother's side were there too.

Went to the house with Henri. Marli lived with James, a friend from school, and his parents.

[This is doubly shocking. Ordinarily neither she nor Rudi would have been there, but it was holiday time]

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[Interested Bystander]

When they moved to Australia in 2005, Martin would come to visit every three to four months.

Andre was a member on Martin's trusts. He said his brother had numerous.

He was never rude, disrespectful with his workers and colleagues. He would only shout at me.

He moved back to SA in 2013, children followed in Jan/Feb 2014.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

BIB

So Martin did have a temper but he was very controlled and only used it within his family - I assume when he had reached a breaking point of some sort but not necessarily with Andre - it could have been a work related problem. Interesting nonetheless.

 

[JudgeJudi]

We went there because Marli wanted some of her personal belongings. She packed her things and James' parents loaded her clothes and cases. We moved through the whole house, every room.

Nothing was missing from the house. Nothing was noted or indications that anything was gone. He couldn't see anything was missing.

In the kitchen, were wine racks. and at the foot of the stairs. Martin and his golf friends were fanatical red wine drinkers.

When you visited them, they would brag they had the best red wine. His friends had wine cellars. The wine in those racks are quality.

In the kitchen, were wine racks. and at the foot of the stairs. (This statement is by Galloway)

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

Botha now cross examining.

Henri tells Botha they moved early 2006.

In January 2014 Marli, Martin and Teresa returned. Henri stayed in university. They originally lived in Gordons Bay, then moved to De Zalze. When Henri joined, they lived at De Zalze

[Botha pointing this out]

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

Andre says the computers, cash and handbags were removed from the house. This was done with my permission - they called me. Everything was packed out; photos were taken. Computer and cellphone was taken by the police.

Botha says he told the court nothing was gone from the house. Andre says it was in police possession with his permission

Andre: During our visit to the police station with Col Benecke, all the cash was packed out, money counted. Bailey, Andre du Toit and I signed for it.

Botha: Henri says the day they visited, he didn't go in the house. He didn't want to go in.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

Andre: We were in the house, we stood in the kitchen. Henri wanted one of the exotic whiskies. Can't say if he was with us in the rooms. He pointed out what wines he wanted.

Court adjourned for 15 minutes.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[Estelle]

EWN Reporter‏Verified account @ewnreporter 17m17 minutes ago
#VanBreda Botha: Henri says he wasn't inside the house the day you all went there. He stood outside because he couldn't go in. MM

EWN Reporter‏Verified account @ewnreporter 17m17 minutes ago
Replying to @ewnreporter
#VanBreda A says Henri was inside the house, on the ground floor, he still pointed out to uncles he wanted whisky. MM

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 14m14 minutes ago
#vanbreda Andre says his recollection was that Henri came in with them into the house & had a whiskey. @TimesLIVE

Tammy Petersen‏ @TammyPetersen87 7m7 minutes ago
Adv Botha says Henri #VanBreda claimed to not have entered house. Andre says he was with them in kitchen; can't recall if he was in rooms.

Tammy Petersen‏ @TammyPetersen87 5m5 minutes ago
Andre says during visit, Henri #VanBreda said he wanted bottle of exotic whisky and some bottles of wine. House had already been cleaned.

(It looks as if Henri does not want the court to know about this)

 

[JudgeJudi]

Blood may be thicker than water but Andre is obviously an honest man.

 

[Estelle]

Their 15 minutes adjournment is 30 minutes!

 

[JudgeJudi]

Cross examination continues.

Botha: Henri says when you all went to the house, he asked his cousin Rudi to take the bottle of expensive Japanese whisky he bought in Oz for his dad.

[Aunt Narita would be horrified if she knew the "child" was drinking whiskey!]

Andre: As I remember, Henri was there. We were there twice. Henri was with us on one occasion. I can remember that Henri went out and sat in the car. He didn't come back in. That was the time that Marli's things were packed.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

Andre says he could be wrong; but he remembers Henri pointing out the wines. He can't confirm if it was the first or second visit. Marli had already been released from hospital.

Botha - Henri says he spoke to his cousin Rudi to bring his clothes and the aftershave his mother bought for his father.

Andre says there were two visits, on one of them Henri was in the house.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

The whisky had sentimental value, Botha says. I accept that, Andre says.

Andre insists his brother had no enemies, personally or in terms of his business.

He is also not aware that Teresa had any enemies. He says he had limited contact with Rudi. What i know about Rudi is he was a copy of his dad. Good manners. I saw all three children as well-mannered, well-educated. Don't think they ever disappointed [their parents].

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

Next witness is Precious Myongane. She worked until January 2015 as a domestic worker for the Van Breda family.

She did the washing, ironing and cleaning. She had an access card and used thumbprint.

Taken to the house from the De Zalze gate via taxi.

I would enter from a side gate. The key was on a piece of string at the gate.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510

 

[JudgeJudi]

The family had a dog as a pet. It's name was Sasha, she says. The dog slept where Henri slept.

She would phone and notify them if couldn't enter through the side gate. It had happened before.

She worked on Monday 26 January. Arrived at 08:25. Worked until 15:45.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...trial-20170510