Cape Town: A South African man who grew up in Australia has been found guilty of murdering three members of his family, more than three years after the gruesome attack in an upscale housing estate.

Henri van Breda, 23, was also found guilty of obstruction of justice and attempting to murder his sister on January 27, 2015. His sister Marli, then 16, suffered severe injuries and is reported to be unable to remember the incident.

"After considering all the evidence, the result is inescapable," Judge Siraj Desai said in the Western Cape High Court, after reading an hours-long judgement that detailed the evidence given in the case. "As a family man, it is difficult for me to say so."

Van Breda, wearing a short beard and a blue suit, was expressionless as he stood to hear the verdict.  He was denied bail, and will be held in custody until his sentencing. His girlfriend, Danielle Janse van Rensburg, left the court weeping.

Van Breda's parents, Martin and Teresa, and older brother, Rudi, were killed in their home in De Zalze Estate in Stellenbosch, a scenic wine-growing region near Cape Town.