Convicted murderer and former Paralympian in NPA’s crosshairs

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed the state’s application for leave to appeal former Paralympian Oscar Pistorius’ jail term will be heard in November.

Sowetan Live has reported the state will argue that six years in jail is too lenient for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius was found guilty of Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. He had initially been found guilty of culpable homicide and received a five-year prison sentence, but was found guilty of murder on appeal by the state.

Luvuyo Mfaku, spokesperson for the NPA, commented: “We are confident the sentence is shockingly low. The prescribed minimum sentence for murder is 15 years. While the judge has discretion to what sentence they prescribe, this discretion was used in a shocking manner.”

The Supreme Court of Appeal will hear the state’s appeal on November 3.