Pistorius release put on hold by SAfrican justice department

Oscar Pistorius’ release from prison was put on hold Wednesday by South Africa’s Department of Justice, which said his case must be reviewed again by a parole board because he was approved to be moved to house arrest too early.

Pistorius is expected to served this sentence at his uncle’s manor in Waterkloof, a suburb of Pretoria – a grand home with more than a dozen bedrooms, a private gym, outdoor pool and landscaped gardens.

If an appeal filed on Monday – seeking to see his manslaughter conviction upgraded to murder – fails, Pistorius is set to see out the remainder of the term under “correctional supervision”, a type of house arrest.

Spokesman Mhaga said “the decision of the parole board will have to be suspended”. Justice minister Michael Masutha would now study Pistorius’ “profile” and the original parole board decision, the department said.

Pistorius’ lawyer, Brian Webber, told The Associated Press: “We’re considering our position”.

It was unclear when the board would be able to meet again, justice department spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said, but it was unlikely a new decision could be made by Friday’s initially planned release date.

In that petition, the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa said the decision of the parole board was “outrageous” and “an insult” to victims of abuse.

He also said involvement by a South African justice minister in such a case is not common.

In his 2014 trial, a judge found Pistorius to be not guilty of murder, but guilty of culpable homicide in Steenkamp’s death in his home on Valentine’s Day 2013. The group argued that it would be insensitive for authorities to transfer Pistorius in August, which is Women’s Month in South Africa, the office said.

Pistorius had in his defense said that he mistoke reeva for an intruder but prosecutors insist that he deliberately killed her after an argument.

It is believed that Pistorius will wear an electronic tracking tag, but will be allowed to leave the property for work, community service or important family events. Running on prosthetic blades, he won gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Paralympics before competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where he ran in the 400-meter race and the 4×400-meter relay.