A former Perth student 'smiled' at family members as he arrived in court and was then granted bail after being charged with the brutal triple axe murder of his parents and brother at their mansion home.

Henri van Breda reportedly nodded at family members inside Stellenbosch Magistrates' Court on Tuesday as he left the dock, after he was seen arriving at the court just minutes earlier.

The 21-year-old was granted bail after his lawyer Pieter Botha argued his release would not 'jeapordise case or public safety', South African News 24 reports.

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Henri van Breda is seen leaving Stellenbosch Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after he was granted bail

Henri van Breda (pictured) 'smiled' at family members as he arrived in court and was then granted bail after being charged with the brutal triple axe murder of his parents and brother at their mansion home

Van Breda reportedly nodded at family members inside Stellenbosch Magistrates' Court on Tuesday as he left the dock, after he was seen arriving at the court (pictured left) just minutes earlier

Magistrate Lungelo Jumba granted bail saying it was 'clear there was no likelihood that accused will flee or interfere with witnesses', and released van Breda after paying 100,000 South African Rand (AUD$8800).

The lawyer for van Breda's sister, who survived the attack but suffered amnesia from her injuries and cannot remember what happened, said: 'The news is understandably very distressing to Marli'.

'The family want justice to take its course,' Marli van Breda's lawyer said, according to South African News 24.

The conditions of the 21-year-old's bail are that he appears at Cape Town High Court on September 9, turns his passport over to police, and does not leave the province.

He is also banned from contacting witnesses in the case and must report to local police every Monday and Friday, South African media reports.

Tuesday's proceedings at the court lasted about 20 minutes.

The 21-year-old accused's lawyer argued media coverage surrounding the case made it harder for his client to potentially flee, as his face was well-known.

He is also charged with 'defeating the ends of justice' - for allegedly tampering with evidence at the scene of the murders, according to Eye Witness News.

National Prosecuting Authority's Eric Ntabazalila told reporters an axe and kitchen knife were found at the scene, and that van Breda was charged because shorts and white socks he was wearing when police arrived were covered in blood of his deceased family members.

Local media also reports the 21-year-old completed an internet search for emergency services phone numbers at 4:27am, however he did not make the call until 7:12am.

Henri van Breda (back left) escaped the attack while his father Martin (back right), mother Teresa (front right), and brother Rudi (back centre) were killed. Marli, (front left), suffered severe head and throat injuries

Henri van Breda (front left) is seen stepping inside Stellenbosch Magistrates' Court ahead of a hearing on Tuesday

Van Breda was seen just minutes before his court appearance stepping out of a white Ford Fiesta, before walking inside while being accompanied by two men.

It comes after the former Perth student was arrested at a police station about 50km east of Cape Town on Monday after being asked to attend with his lawyer, South African media reported.

He handed himself almost 18 months after businessman Martin van Breda, his wife, Teresa, and their eldest son Rudi, 22, were killed at their exclusive South African estate.

His sister Marli, now 17, survived the attack but was left with retrograde amnesia - meaning she doesn't remember the violent incident despite making a full recovery from her serious injuries.

Van Breda was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Footage has emerged of van Breda (pictured) walking into Stellenbosch police with a woman who appeared to be his lawyer on Monday afternoon

Footage emerged of the 21-year-old walking into Stellenbosch police station with a woman who appeared to be his lawyer on Monday afternoon.

His lawyer Lorinda van Niekerk told TMG Digital that 'police made an arrangement that he hands himself over and that's what he did'.

South African Police have confirmed a 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection to the murders but have not identified the suspect.

It is alleged van Breda had previously told police that his family were attacked by an intruder who knocked him unconscious in their mansion.

However, police confirmed at the time that there were no signs of a break-in at the home.

Henri van Breda (pictured) has reportedly handed himself into police over the brutal murders of his family

Wealthy businessman Martin (left) and wife Theresa (right) both died at their home in Stellenbosch, Cape Town

Marli, now 17, survived the attack but was left with retrograde amnesia - meaning she doesn't remember the violent incident despite making a full recovery from her serious injuries

Marli (left) who survived the brutal axe attack posted a photograph on her Instagram account of her father Martin (centre) and mother Teresa (right) after she was released from hospital last year

The arrest comes after an audio recording of the emergency phone call made by Henri emerged, which seemed to reveal him 'giggling' as he explained the details of the bloody massacre.

A cleaner who worked for one of the van Breda's neighbours allegedly saw the young man, covered in blood, using his phone outside the house shortly after the attack.

Three bodies were discovered at the property on January 27, 2015. Marli was taken to hospital with serious injuries after she was struck several times while van Breda was found with minor wounds.

The family used to lived in Perth, Western Australia for several years, where Rudi and the accused attended private school Scotch College.

The boys later attended Melbourne University, while Marli was a student at the Presbyterian Ladies College.

The family have also lived in Queensland where Martin worked for global firm Engel and Volkers, which sells real estate and luxury yachts and boats to wealthy clients.

They later returned to their native South Africa.

TIMELINE OF THE TRIPLE AXE MURDER OF THE VAN BREDA FAMILY JANUARY 27, 2015 - The bodies of businessman Martin, his wife Teresa and their eldest son Rudi, 22, were discovered at their exclusive golf-course estate Marli, then 16, was taken to hospital after suffering severe head and throat injuries Henri, then 20, who escaped the attack with minor injuries, was questioned by police FEBRUARY, 2015 - An audio of the five minute emergency call from Henri emerged, during which he appeared to giggle as he described the scene at his home just moments after the attack occurred Marli fights for her life as she undergoes brain surgery. She was also under police guard in hospital Allegations emerged just days later that Henri had waited about four hours to call for help as a doctor found his injuries were 'self-inflicted' Visitors were banned from Marli's hospital room in an effort to keep her brother Henri away over fears he may traumatise her MARCH 2015 - Marli was released from hospital and has since suffered retrograde amnesia - meaning she doesn't remember the violent incident despite making a full recovery JUNE 2015 - Marli returned to school on a full time basis while continuing to receive therapy and counselling The two surviving siblings reunited nearly five months after the horrific attack JUNE 13, 2016 - Henri has handed himself into police over the brutal murders of his parents and brother The 21-year-old is expected to face court on Tuesday charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder Advertisement

The bodies of Teresa (left) and her husband Martin (right) were discovered at their home in January 2015

An audio recording between Henri (pictured right with his older brother Rudi) and emergency services after his family were hacked to death with an axe - revealed the 20-year-old appeared to giggle during the call

While Marli has made a full recovery, she has not been able to make a police statement regarding the attack