Read more
Oscar Pistorius is a volunteer caretaker at NG Kerk Waterkloof
‘Apetite for an appeal’ – NPA
There is an "appetite" to appeal the five-year jail sentence imposed on paralympian Oscar Pistorius, but the facts need to be examined, the NPA said on Tuesday.
FILE PICTURE: Oscar Pistorius holds the hands of family members as he is taken down to the holding cells after being sentenced to five years imprisonment for the culpable homicide killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at the high court in Pretoria, Tuesday, 21 October 2014. Picture: Herman Verwey/Media24/Pool
“There is an appetite to appeal and we have 14 days to consider the law, and ensure the facts and the law allow us to appeal,” National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Nathi Mncube told reporters in court GD of the High Court in Pretoria after proceedings were adjourned.
While the NPA had not been happy that Pistorius had been found guilty of culpable homicide and not murder, he said it was a “consolation” that he would go to jail.
A reporter asked Mncube whether Pistorius would serve one third of his sentence. He said that was a matter for correctional services to decide.
Oscar Pistorius sent to jail for 5 years
South African paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius drools on October 17, 2014 during his sentencing hearing at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. Pistorius could be jailed for 10 years or return to serve house arrest on October 21, 2014 when he will be sentenced for killing model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
AFP PHOTO / POOL / MUJAHID SAFODIEN
Speaking to reporters on the other side of the court room, one of the junior counsel who had been part of Pistorius’s defence team said he would serve one sixth of his sentence. This meant Pistorius would spend 10 months in jail.
Businessman Kenny Kunene said outside the court that his heart went out to Reeva Steenkamp’s family.
“I am sad for them,” he said.
He also lamented Pistorius’s sentence.
“Look, its sad knowing prison conditions are what they are. I respect Judge [Thokozile] Masipa, but I think a custodial sentence was not fair for Oscar.”
Photographers and members of the media gathered at the side of the court, waiting for Pistorius to be taken to prison in a police vehicle.
Two cameramen on an orange Harley Davidson motorcycle were ready to follow the police convoy.
“We are waiting for him to leave, then we follow them and see where they are taking him.
People had their cellphones out in the hope of taking a photo of the paralympian.
A woman asked her friend: “Can we see him? Its good. He must go to jail.”
Media were doing live radio and television crossings as they waited for Pistorius.
– Sapa
