Son: Attacker threw axe at me

Henri van Breda claims he only phoned emergency services more than four hours after his family were attacked with an axe in their Stellenbosch home because he had been knocked unconscious.

The 20-year-old student suffered only minor injuries while his parents, Martin and Theresa, and his brother Rudi, 22, were hacked to death. Sister Marli, 16, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

At the weekend it was revealed that Martin, Theresa and Rudi died at about 3am, but Henri called emergency services after 7am.

Yesterday, police sources confirmed that Henri told them the family had been attacked by an intruder, and that he had been knocked out in the attack, only regaining consciousness after 7am.

He reportedly claimed an unknown killer first hacked his brother, Rudi, to death "with tremendous strength with an axe".

According to the account he gave to police, Martin rushed to defend his older son, but was himself slain. Teresa was the next to be murdered, while Marli was attacked last. Henri said the attacker "threw the axe at him" and knocked him unconscious.

Marli is recovering at Vergelegen Medi-Clinic in Somerset West, but still cannot talk. Carla Hanekom, spokesman for Vergelegen Medi-Clinic, said : "No visitors are allowed yet," she said.

But while only medical staff and police can see her, Marli's school-mates and friends have found a unique way to send her their love.

Pupils have created a "memory tree" in front of the school chapel for the Grade 11 pupil. A huge red ribbon is tied around the tree and her friends and supporters can leave little notes and cards on the tree.

Meg Fargher, head of Somerset College, said: "These get taken down each day and sent to her in hospital. Her room must be filled with cards and photos by now."

Last week it emerged that the doctor who examined Henri shortly after the attack determined that his injuries were self-inflicted.

Family spokesman Ben Rootman said that Henri was still very emotional.

"He is being monitored," he said.