The De Zalze Murders: The Story Behind the Brutal Axe Attack

by Julian Jansen

The Van Bredas were the perfect family. Wealthy, successful and well-liked. In a luxury estate just outside Stellenbosch they lived what seemed like a dream life. But everything changed overnight. The gruesome murders of Martin, his wife Teresa and their son Rudi shocked South Africa. Julian Jansen, one of the first reporters on the scene, immediately realised that the case was going to place exceptional demands on the police. He was also deeply shaken by the events. As relatives and friends one by one started talking to Jansen, a picture emerged of parents at their wits' end with their difficult 'loner' child and his drug problem. Could it be that the Van Bredas' own son had wielded the axe? From the moment the news broke, Rapport journalist Julian Jansen has followed the case closely as a reporter for the Sunday press grappling with the human side of this tragedy.

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2017

About the author

Julian Jansen was born in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape and grew up in Strand in the Western Cape.

During an 18-year career as a teacher he taught Geography and History at two schools in the Helderberg. There he brought about positive change in the attitudes of ‘naughty’ learners by challenging them physically and mentally during mountain hikes.

Julian Jansen, has been a senior journalist at Rapport in Cape Town for the past ten years. He has 18 years teaching experience and is also a former spokesperson for the MEC for Community Safety in 2009. He is the author of the crime book, The De Zalze Murders : the story behind the brutal axe attacks.

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping stuff! Thoroughly enjoyed this book. We attended the talk Julian gave at the Kingsmead Book Fair and he alluded to more details so dying to know if he can tell more now due to the fact that Henri Van Breda has been found guilty.

[Jp Francois · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Family Axe murder is so well explained in this book, the writing is done so well that in most parts you actually vision yourself being there. Well done! This was a book that hooked me since day 1.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so interesting and written before a verdict, now that the verdict has been done, I’m so glad justice was done, it was clear to me he was guilty from the start, I feel sorry for the family’s who stood by him and for Marli, perhaps one day she will tell her sorry,
Julian also wrote this so well, I read it quickly and it kept me interested the whole way

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waited for the publication of this book with bated breath and had very high expectations when I started reading. I was not disappointed.

The triple family murders shocked many South Africans. It’s the awful true story of the wealthy Van Breda family who were killed almost three years ago, on 27 January 2015. Martin (the dad), Teresa (the mom) and Rudi (their son) died during the attack, while their daughter Marli and youngest son Henri survived. Marli and Henri’s faces feature on the front cover of the book. According to Henri van Breda a masked intruder entered the secured De Zalze Estate and attacked his family with an axe and a knife. Now he’s the murder accused, awaiting judgement that according to thesouthafrican.com will be delivered in March 2018.

Julian Jansen’s The De Zalze Murders gripped me from the very beginning. It’s well-written and well-researched. This comes as no surprise – the author followed the case from the start and is an experienced reporter. He was also one of the first journalists on the scene on that fateful morning.

The telephone call Henri makes to the emergency services (transcribed verbatim in the book) is the first of a series of events that will have readers contemplating, leaving them frustrated and curious to the point where they’ll simply have to continue reading to find out more. The author also gives background information about the family and especially regarding Henri and the opinion that he’s always been someone who prefers his own company. The reader gets a general idea of the two families – the Van Breda’s and Du Toits (Teresa’s family).

Jansen tackles events one after the other – from Marli’s miraculous recovery to an incomplete docket; Henri’s new field of study; another case against the young man; and detailed information about the court case including Henri’s own testimony. Be warned: some of the content is gruesome so not for sensitive readers.

I devoured this book. Details are given clearly (note, I read the Afrikaans version), and are repeated in the right places (just in case the reader forgets how the puzzle pieces fit together). A photo section helps to put names to faces.

Now we’re all waiting for judgement to be delivered. Did Henri van Breda murder his own family? Only he knows the truth, because his sister, Marli, can’t remember a thing.
Read the book. You won’t regret it.

[Natashja Isted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely well researched. The way the story is told, not in chronological order per se, but in such a way that you never wonder how it all fits together. These are just some of the reasons why not only this book, but Julian as a writer/journalist need to be acknowledged as world class. The detail that was obtained, as explained in the closing chapter, makes you realize just how much work went into writing this book; as a true reflection of the facts. The background on both families. The relationship between the family in question. And the brutality of the murder leaves you questioning “but why?” More so because if factual information obtained by this book, than that which the media reported on at the time.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a journalist, it is extremely interesting. The writing is factual and fast paced. Julian Jansen does an excellent job of reporting and collating the facts and interviews - keeping the reader enthralled. As a South African, the book is relevant. One person who lent me the book, complained that there were not enough "opinions" and wanted to "know what the judge was thinking". If the author had written or supposed to know what Judge Desai was thinking - it would not be purely factual account. I recommend it - an easy read that draws you in quickly. Hmmm... kept me reading rather late at night

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, in my opinion, was well researched and well written. It is clear that Mr Jansen has lived with this tragedy since day one. When you hear about an incident like this your overriding question is why? Mr Jansen has laid out the facts that have become available over time in a concise manner. I also feel that he has done this in a respectful way for all involved in the case, from the victims to those involved in the investigation and the court case.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a true crime enthusiast I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Jansen’s writing style. I especially appreciated how he carefully explained how the state built their case and gave us insight into the characters of the detectives and their teams. I wish he had waited and included the verdict as I felt the book just ended without a proper conclusion or explanation. It has, however, left me in contemplation and questioning the verdict and what really happened that fateful night.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, thoughtful account of the trial and the people involved. The sub-title of this book 'The story behind the brutal axe attack' is not exactly true - the brutality of the attack is still puzzling and Julian Jansen (by his own admission at his talk at the Kingsmead Book Fair) did not reveal all of the information that was made available to him.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day. I liked that it gave you all the facts and with that you had to make up your own mind. There were things I'm still unsure about but this was well written and excellent work of non fiction.

[Mike Beets · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good and informative read with a massively disappointing ending. The book abruptly ends before the conviction. Feels like I missed out on the best part of the saga. A story without an ending or closure. I expected more.

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reporting overall with minimal bias, except for a slight mention when Reade-Jahn took the stand. Aside from that, I can't help but wonder what this young man were thinking to end up in this position.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating,rivetting read. Devoured the book in a few days.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Very informative. Not at all dramatized. Just the facts. Would love to read other books that have more in depth info into his psyche.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Gripping stuff. Plenty of hard work, research and crowd interaction took place.

The truth will set you free ....

[Daniel Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended on cliffhanger so had to google result

[Nicole Lubbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super easy read. Finished within a day and very interesting facts i missed during the trial.