Axe murder case postponed

The 21-year-old appeared briefly in the Western Cape High Court on Friday morning.

He's accused of axing his parents and older brother to death in their home at the De Zalze Golf Estate in January last year.

The courtroom was packed with journalists.

Van Breda, wore a blue suit and looked sombre.

The State asked for a postponement, saying it was not ready for the matter to go to trial.

The Judge granted the postponement and extended the accused's bail.

Speaking outside court, NPA Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the postponement is due to outstanding DNA reports as well as the defence's request for further information from the state.

"We have a refined indictment. It has become clearer that all three of the deceased were hit several times on the head and died on the scene. We also know that the accused had self-inflicted injuries and supplied false information to the police."

The state confirmed it has 141 people on its witness list.

However, Ntabazalila would not confirm whether Marli van Breda was one of the witnesses.

She survived the attack, but sustained serious head injuries and suffered retrograde amnesia.

It is still unclear whether she can remember what happened on that fateful morning.

Henri van Breda faces three charges of murder, one of attempted murder and a charge of defeating the ends of justice for allegedly lying to police and tampering with evidence.

A provisional trial date has been set for 6 February.