Former Perth student charged with murdering his family with an axe in South Africa

Henri van Breda who faces three counts of murder for the axe killings of his parents and older brother has been released on bail by a South African court.

The van Breda family. Source: Facebook

A 21-year-old man who faces three counts of murder for the axe killings of his parents and older brother has been released on $US6500 ($A8800) bail.

Henri van Breda turned himself in Monday over the January 2015 killings in an upscale gated community that made headlines across South Africa.

An official with the Stellenbosch Magistrate Court confirmed van Breda's release Tuesday and said he is expected to appear in court in Cape Town on September 9. The official insisted on anonymity, saying he was not authorised to speak to the press.

Van Breda also faces one count of attempted murder and one count of obstruction of justice. The family's daughter, Marli, was wounded in the assault.

The axe attack killed Martin van Breda, his wife, Teresa, and their eldest son, Rudi.

The family had lived in Perth for several years where the children had attended high school before returning to their native South Africa.