A Durban family who was brutally attacked in their Glenmore home on June 2nd has broken their silence. The husband of murdered Halima Hoosen-Preston believes that the alleged attack by 44-year-old Grayson Beare was not politically or religiously motivated.

Sean Preston says from the family’s perspective this was purely criminal. It follows a viral video in which the suspect claims that Halima and her family thought it was entertaining that his cousins were killed in Israel. He goes on to admit that he was once a Zionist but is not anything now. Sean says Beare was an acquaintance who they last saw in 2019 which makes his comments in the video baseless.

He further notes that when Halima expressed her views regarding Palestine to her loved ones, she was careful to emphasise that this wasn’t an attack on a singular religion, but rather an attack on humanity. Beare, who is expected to make his second appearance in court this week faces a charge of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Sean and his 18-year-old son were stabbed multiple times during the attack. Both are recovering in hospital. The Preston’s 13-year-old daughter witnessed the attack.