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Axe attack survivor back at school

Marli van Breda, the former Perth teenager who survived horrific injuries in an axe attack that killed her parents and brother in South Africa, has visited her school for the first time since the tragedy.

Netwerk24 reported yesterday/mon that Marli spent almost two hours with her friends at Somerset College and is expected to return to lessons full time shortly.

Her lawyer Debbie Wybrow said it was her third visit to the school, which was part of the process of rehabilitating into society.

“Marli enjoyed the visit very much,” Ms Wybrow told Netwerk24. “She was there to visit her friends in the Grade 11 class and to meet with the Student Development Unit.

“She also sat outside for a while and other students came to speak to her. It is wonderful for her each time she goes back.”

Marli van Breda (second from the left) and her family, brothers Rudi and Henri and parents Therese and Martin. Picture: Facebook
Marli van Breda (second from the left) and her family, brothers Rudi and Henri and parents Therese and Martin. Picture: Facebook

Marli van Breda (second from the left) and her family, brothers Rudi and Henri and parents Therese and Martin. Picture: Facebook

The 16-year-old almost died in January 27 attack in her family’s luxury home in Stellenbosch, near Cape Town.

The former Presbyterian Ladies’ College pupil spent three months in hospital and rehabilitation recovering her severe head and neck injuries. Her family and medical team have said her recovery has been miraculous.

Her parents Martin and Teresa van Breda, and their eldest son Rudi, 22, were killed in the attack. Their other son, Henri van Breda, 20, survived with only minor injuries.

The family lived in Perth for around seven years and returned to live in their native South Africa last year.

South African police have not yet arrested anyone in connection with the deaths.

Ms Wybrow said Marli’s family and medical and legal teams will meet this week to decide how best she will go forward.

“She is in the privileged position with a school such as Somerset Colege that has the ability to provide for individual learners’ extraordinary needs,” she said.