Slain Stellenbosch dad 'never let his guard down'

Martin van Breda feared crime, but it wasn't the main reason he decided to move to Australia

The Van Breda family were just about perfect - caring, charitable, loving, inseparable.

Father Martin, mother Teresa and children Rudi, Henri and Marli seemingly lived an idyllic life between South Africa and Australia.

But Martin, a successful businessman, never let his guard down.

"Martin was always cautious, very careful. He owned a security company; his career was his lifestyle.

"He was fearful of crime, ironically," said close family friend Alex Boshoff.

But this was not the main reason the family packed up and moved to Australia about eight years ago, Boshoff said.

There were business opportunities there for him to pursue. He was the master licence partner at Engel & Völkers in Australia.

The international company, according to its website, is one of the world's "leading service companies specialising in the sale and leasehold of premium residential property, commercial real estate and yachts".

Karl Rademeyer worked for Martin in Australia.

Rademeyer described him as an astute businessman, an entrepreneur who had donated generously to several charities.

Six months ago, the family moved back to South Africa, where Martin was to start a business with Boshoff's father, opening independent schools in lower-income communities.

The Boshoffs and the Van Bredas met more than five years ago in Knysna while on holiday. They were inseparable, said Boshoff.

They spent every December holiday together - paragliding, wakeboarding and waterskiing.

When they chose to settle in Stellenbosch in the upmarket estate of De Zalze, Rudi (below), 22, stayed behind in Australia because he was at university there, said Boshoff.

But he came to South Africa in December for a holiday with his girlfriend.

Marli, 16, enrolled at Somerset College in Somerset West.

After studying physics for two years, Henri took a "gap year" and was planning to switch to a different course when he resumed his studies.

The family brought their dog, Sasha, to South Africa. Boshoff said Sasha had to have brain surgery and it cost the family thousands.

Sasha was there when the Van Bredas were murdered but was unscathed.

"Sashie was Martin's pride and joy. She is very cute, very playful.

"I was very happy to hear that they never touched Sasha," said Boshoff, whose family are from Gauteng.

Boshoff, 19, a student at Stellenbosch University, said it was difficult to come to terms with the murders.

He said Teresa had been very caring and friendly and often drove him to the airport when he flew home.

Boshoff said they were praying for Marli, who is in an induced coma.

Of Henri (above), he said: "I hope he will be himself again. He is going through hell."

Terence Titus worked for Martin several years ago as a teacher at one of the private schools he owned.

"He was a good man. Always asking about my family. He was dedicated to upliftment and developing communities."

Teresa's Facebook account was deactivated this week.

No one posted on Marli or Henri's page, but there were several messages on Rudi's timeline.

"You took care of us like a big brother, thank you for a million laughs, I hope you're smiling that beautiful smile up there," Emily Ward-Ambler wrote.

Anna Cameron wrote: "We will miss you and all our crazy times together Rudi, thanks for always looking after Emily and me."