Henri van Breda: I was just scared

Van Breda is on trial for the murder of his parents and older brother and the attempted murder of his sister at their Stellenbosch home in January 2015. 

Van Breda told the court that he doesn't know why he didn't try and help his family while they were being attacked by a man with an axe. 

"I was just scared. I didn't know what to do. I can't specifically recall what was going through my mind at that point but I wasn't able to think clearly. I don't know, my Lord, why I didn't help my father or brother. I was very scared."

Van Breda told the court that the attacker stabbed him with a knife.

"The attacker stumbled back. He twisted away with his right shoulder going backwards but recovered fairly quickly. He stood up and came at me again. He had a knife in his hand. He stabbed me and I pulled out the knife then he left the room." 

Defence advocate Pieter Botha asked Van Breda if he caught sight of the attacker.

"I could see that the attacker was covered from head to toe. He had a dark grey mask on with eyeholes and a hole for the mouth. He was also wearing gloves."

Van Breda, who was repeatedly asked to speak up by Judge Siraj Desai, then went on to describe the attack on his father and brother.

"My dad immediately moved to the attacker. It looked like he was moving in the direction or coming in between the attacker and Rudi. As he got onto the bed, launching forward at the attacker, he was hit and after that he didn't move again.

"He was hit several more times whilst laying on the bed. I distinctly remember a laugh. Then I heard my mom's voice coming from the house asking 'Wat gaan hier aan?' [What is going on?]. Immediately thereafter he left the room."