No bail for Pistorius: Xingwana

Paralympian Oscar Pistorius should be denied bail, Women's Minister Lulu Xingwana said outside the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning.

Xingwana joined a group of women protesting outside the court where Pistorius, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, was applying for bail.

"We are here as the [ANC] Women's League, community and NGOs [non-governmental organisations] to say 'No bail'," said Xingwana.

"It does not matter what standing Pistorius has in society."

Double-amputee Pistorius was arrested shortly after Steenkamp was fatally wounded at his home in Pretoria on Thursday.

"We want him to be treated like other criminals that have been charged with murder or abuse of women," Xingwana said.

Those found guilty of such crimes should be punished with the "stiffest sentences".

She called on government to tighten firearm regulations and to ban guns in homes.

"These guns, most of the time, are used to kill women and children in homes," Xingwana said.

"Our plan is to say: 'No guns in our homes'. We want to feel safe and secure in our homes."