LAGOS AUGUST 18TH (URHOBOTODAY) – In just four days’ time Oscar Pistorius is set to be released from the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre after serving 10 months for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
The physically challenged release seems to be hanging on the balance as South African state prosecutors filed an appeal on Monday against the verdict of culpable homicide passed on Oscar Pistorius for killing his girlfriend.
The athlete was sentenced to five years in prison for culpable homicide, but may be released under correctional supervision after serving a sixth of his sentence.
Pistorius shot and killed Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day two years ago.
He claimed he thought she was an intruder. Pistorius will swap a cold-walled hail cell for his uncle Arnold’s plush mansion in the Waterkloof area. While he will no longer be confined to a prison, he will be subject to strict conditions and monitored by a parole officer.
It’s understood Pistorius may only leave the mansion to go to church, and must be accompanied when doing so.
The parole board sat in June where it authorised Pistorius’s placement under correctional supervision.
Steenkamp’s parents issued a statement at the time saying, incarceration of 10 months for taking a life is simply not enough.
In a related development, South African state prosecutors have filed an appeal on Monday against the verdict of culpable homicide passed on Oscar Pistorius for killing his girlfriend, arguing the athlete should have been convicted of murder.
The Paralympic gold medalist admitted 29-year-old killing Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013 by firing four shots into the locked door of a toilet cubicle in what he said was the mistaken belief that an intruder was hiding behind it.
Pistorius, whose lower legs were amputated as a baby, is due to be released on Friday after serving 10 months of a five-year sentence, in line with South Africa’s custodial guidelines for non-dangerous prisoners.
During sentencing, Judge Thokozile Masipa said the state had failed prove Pistorius’ intent to kill when he fired.
Prosecutors want the verdict, equivalent to manslaughter, changed to murder because they argue that if Pistorius knew someone was behind the toilet door when he fired, he had the intention to kill, one of the prosecution team said.
“We filed the appeal today,” National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said.
Pistorius’ legal team has a month to file its response to the appeal, which the Supreme Court is expected to hear in November, Mfaku added.