Axe attack victim Marli shows signs of emotions, improvement but is still unable to speak

Marli van Breda, who survived an attack on her family in Stellenbosch, during which her parents and brother were killed, is said to be showing emotions, although she still cannot speak, according to a media report.

Family spokesman Ben Rootman confirmed to the Saturday Citizen that she was showing signs of improvement.

"She is showing movement on both sides of her body, emotion and recognising close family on family photographs," he was quoted as saying.

The Van Breda family were attacked in their home in the De Zalze Golf Estate last month. The 16-year-old's father Martin van Breda, 55, his wife Theresa, 54, and older brother Rudi, 22, were killed. Her other brother Henri, 20, survived.

Marli was critically injured and remained in hospital. Emergency medical services spokesman Robert Daniels said previously that Marli had an axe wound to the head and her jugular vein had been severed.

Marli, who was still not allowed any visitors, was recently moved from an intensive care unit ward into her own room.

Rootman would reportedly not confirm or deny that she may have sustained brain damage.