Siblings' meeting may harm murder case

15 June 2015 - 02:30 By Gabi Mbele

The reunion of the two surviving siblings of the Van Breda axe murder "could have an impact on the case", legal expert William Booth said yesterday. According to reports, 16-year-old Marli van Breda met her 20-year-old brother Henri for the first time since the attack four months ago at their home in De Zalze Golf Estate outside Stellenbosch in which their father Martin, 54, mother Teresa, 55, and their oldest brother, Rudi, 22, were killed."What if she ends up being a potential state witness, which we don't know yet? If we were told that she can't remember anything and that she isn't a witness it would be quite appropriate for her brother to make contact with her."But if he is a potential suspect, we also need to know that. Is he or isn't he? If he is not a suspect then I suppose he can talk to whomever he likes. But if he is a potential suspect and he is talking to somebody who may be a potential witness, then in my mind that is not appropriate," said Booth.If she was a potential witness and he a potential suspect, this meeting could damage the case because there may be intimidation and undue influence, Booth warned."The NPA needs to come out and say what is going on. They cannot leave the public thinking that a witness is talking to the accused."Booth also voiced his concerns about the case "dragging on too long without the National Prosecuting Authority announcing any updates or making an arrest".Marli, who has returned to school, has been living with friends since she suffered memory loss after sustaining extensive head and neck injuries in the attack...

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