State appeal could extend Oscar's stay in prison

28 October 2014 - 02:03 By Graeme Hosken
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Oscar Pistorius enters a police van after being sentenced to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Oscar Pistorius enters a police van after being sentenced to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Image: SIPHIWE SIBEKO

Reeva Steenkamp's family is praying that the state's decision to appeal the verdict will result in Oscar Pistorius spending more than 10 months in jail.

Said Reeva's uncle, Mike Steenkamp: "[The state] would not be doing this if it did not believe that there was a chance ... that there was a chance of something different.

"The judge gave her decision on what she thought was a just sentence but [we hope] the state has something up its sleeve. We are hoping, praying that this will lead to something more. Something that is justly deserved .

"It is clear the prosecutors have been discussing this very seriously. They wouldn't be doing this if they didn't believe there was a chance."

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Nathi Mncube said yesterday that the NPA had consulted legal experts to establish whether there were sufficient grounds to appeal both the verdict and the sentence. Mncube said: "We have taken the decision to appeal both .

'The appeal on conviction is based on a question of law.

"The merits and demerits of the argument will become evident when we file papers for leave to appeal within the next few days."

Mike Steenkamp said Reeva's mother June Steenkamp was now focused on establishing refuges for abused women in memory of her daughter.

  • Disciplinary action is being considered against an employee of the Department of Social Development, Annette Vergeer, who testified for Pistorius in mitigation of sentence allegedly without the department's permission. The department said Vergeer's action might constitute conflict of interest.
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now