Pistorius reports for first community service
Oscar Pistorius reported on Saturday for
his first day of community service in the
South African capital Pretoria as part of
his parole conditions after being
released from jail three weeks ago.
The Paralympian athlete was allowed out
of prison after serving one year of his
five-year sentence for killing his
girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early
hours of Valentine’s Day, 2013.
Pistorius, 28, arrived at Garsfontein
police station in Pretoria, driven by his
sister Aimee, and declined to speak to
waiting reporters.
He is serving the rest of his sentence
under house arrest at his uncle’s home
in the city.
In his first appearance in public since his
release, he walked into the police station
wearing sunglasses and a white T-shirt,
and carrying a backpack.
The disgraced sprinter was found guilty
last year of culpable homicide — a
charge equivalent to manslaughter —
after telling his trial that he shot
Steenkamp through a bathroom door
because he mistook her for an intruder.
His parole conditions have not been
released, but are reported to allow him
to meet with Steenkamp’s parents June
and Barry if they wish.
The Department of Correctional Services
has also said Pistorius would undergo
“continued psychotherapy” and face
restrictions on owning firearms.
– State appeal –
Pistorius was jailed after a six-month
trial that made headlines around the
world.
Prosecutors said he killed Steenkamp in
a fit of rage, firing four shots through
the locked toilet door.
They described the double amputee as
an egotistical liar obsessed with guns,
fast cars and beautiful women, who was
not prepared to take responsibility for
his actions.
The case is currently being reviewed by
the Supreme Court of Appeal as state
prosecutors push to have the culpable
homicide verdict overturned in favour of
a murder conviction.
The court heard arguments from both
sides last week, and is expected to take
some weeks before announcing its
decision.
The five appeal judges could alter the
original trial verdict and send the case
back to the high court for a new
sentence.
If he was found guilty of murder, he
would face a minimum of 15 years in
prison.
Pistorius’s family made no comment on
his community service on Saturday.
When he was released, a family
spokeswoman said he would serve the
rest of his sentence “under the strict
conditions that govern correctional
supervision.”
Pistorius shot Steenkamp, a model and
law graduate, at the peak of his fame,
following his historic performance in
2012 when he became the first double-
amputee to race at Olympic level.
During the trial, Pistorius often broke
down, weeping and at times vomiting as
he heard how Steenkamp was hit by
hollow-point bullets he fired from the
9mm pistol that he kept under his bed.
In the shooting’s aftermath, he lost his
glittering sports career, lucrative
contracts and status as a global role
model for the disabled.
His release on house arrest was in line
with normal treatment of South African
convicts, but was criticised by women’s
rights groups and many others in the
country.
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