South African Triple Axe Murderer Van Breda Gets 3 Life Sentences Behind Bars

South African convicted axe murderer Henri van Breda, who was found guilty of murdering three members of his family, has been sentenced to life in prison.

Van Breda, was found guilty on 22 May of murdering his parents Martin and Teresa, and older brother Rudi – in a brutal axe attack at the family’s luxury De Zalze Estate home in Stellenbosch, in 2015.

Today, he was given a life sentence for each of the three murders he committed.

For the attempted murder of his sister Marli (who was left fighting for her life and is still unable to recall the events of that horrific night), he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

On count five, for obstructing the course of justice, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison. The sentences will run concurrently.

In delivering the sentence Judge Siraj Desai said: “Each murderous attack upon the family member constitutes a very serious crime, warranting the severest penalty possible.”

The Judge pointed out that the victims were unarmed and defenceless, and that it was therefore “cold blooded murder”.

He said: “The violence was excessive and gratuitous. It was intended to cause maximum harm.

“The three victims died from the wounds caused by the axe you wielded against them. The fourth survived, albeit with serious injuries, the clear intent was to kill her as well.

“We have no explanation for what you did, you have displayed no remorse. Society expects violent crimes to be evaluated with sufficient seriousness.”

Van Breda’s Advocate Piet Botha said he has instructions to apply for leave to appeal against both the convictions and the sentence.

Judge Desai scheduled the hearing for 27 June 2018.