Pistorius Parole Delayed Again, Family Reacts

PRETORIA – A panel led by a judge has upheld a decision not to let athlete Oscar Pistorius be transferred to house arrest and have sent his case back to the parole board for review again, a move his family reportedly said “flies in the face” of justice.

Pistorius was sentenced to five years in jail last year for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. A parole board said he could be transferred in August to house arrest, although shortly before it was to happen Justice Minister Michael Masutha prevented it saying the decision had been taken prematurely.

A panel led by Judge Lucy Mailula ruled on Monday that Masutha had acted correctly.

According to news reports the Pistorius family said in a statement afterwards that it was concerned about the “legality” of delaying the Olympian’s release.

“The failure to give proper – and consistent – effect to the Correctional Services Act flies in the face of administrative justice,” it said.

“This experience leaves us with the uncomfortable conclusion that the public, political and media hype that was allowed to develop around Oscar’s trial has undermined his right to be treated like any other prisoner – as per the prescripts of the Correctional Services Act.”