Axe murder survivor had brain scans

Speculation grew yesterday about the mental health of Henri van Breda, one of two survivors of last week's Stellenbosch family murder, after it was confirmed he had had scans for cysts on the brain early last year.

The tests were done at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia.

Family spokesman Ben Rootman said the results of the tests were negative, and "no further tests were done in South Africa".

Henri's sister, Marli, 16, is in a stable condition in intensive care after suffering severe head and neck injuries in the axe attack which claimed the lives of her mother, Teresa, 54, father, Martin, 55, and brother, Rudi, 22, at their home on De Zalze Golf Estate.

Henri, 20, who was allegedly also attacked and made the call to emergency services, is living with an uncle in Stellenbosch.

Cape Town neurosurgeon Roger Melvill said yesterday it was unlikely that brain cysts could have played a part in the attack.

"It is such a vast subject, you can not be specific without knowing a lot about the problem," he said. "Without knowing the exact pathology and nature of the person's brain problem, it is not possible to make any meaningful comment."

Police spokesman Colonel Tembinkosi Kinana said there were no developments in the case.

Forensic consultant David Klatzow said in light of the Brett Kebble, Oscar Pistorius and Shrien Dewani cases, he was not optimistic about the murder cases being solved.

"Police should go back to first principles. The crime scene should be frozen in time. They should not be making the mistakes they have with previous cases. It is not a great track record, even for a police force like ours with a history of bungling."

Rootman said Henri was receiving counselling. No decision had been taken on whether he would attend Thursday's memorial service for his parents and brother in Pretoria.