Axe-attack victim 'speaks'

Marli van Breda, the teenager who may hold the key to last month's triple axe murder in Stellenbosch, is talking.

After at least two weeks under intensive care at two hospitals in Western Cape, the 16-year-old, according to weekend reports, has started answering questions.

It is not known if she has given a statement to the police.

Marli's parents, Martin and Teresa van Breda, and her brother Rudi, were attacked and killed in their luxury De Zalze Golf Estate home.

Marli sustained head and neck injuries, which left her unconscious.

Her brother Henri bore scratches and bruises. The Sunday Times reported at the weekend that, according to a doctor's report, they were self-inflicted.

Four hours allegedly elapsed between the attack and Henri's call to the emergency services.

Police would not comment yesterday.

Western Cape police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut said the police had "no information regarding our investigation into the De Zalze murders to share with the media at this stage".

Van Breda family spokesman Ben Rootman, commenting on Marli's condition, said: "Earlier she was critical but stable, now she is stable and we are glad progress is being made, but at this stage no visitors at all are allowed so we are not sure where the public gets the information on whether she can speak."