The statement said the government chose to stop the release after a group, Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa, protested Pistorius’ release.
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Murasiet Mentoor, from the regional the Judicial Inspectorate, said: “He complained that he wanted a bath, they built a bath in his cell”. It appears that as a general rule, South Africans who’ve committed crimes and behaved well in prison are automatically released on parole after serving a sixth of their sentence, with all the discussion and paperwork on the matter having been dealt with earlier.
The double-amputee Olympic runner’s wealth and fame was an advantage, allowing him to employ a high-powered legal team. Pistorious’ outrageous jail demands comes after he was told on Wednesday (August 19) that he won’t be released from prison after serving one sixth of his 5-year-jail sentence. Du Toit thinks Pistorius is now being unfairly treated because of the high profile of his case, which has stoked emotional reactions.
Steenkamp family lawyer Tania Koen also said Reeva’s parents welcomed the minister’s decision, adding that they “have always had faith in the justice system”.
Michael Masutha, the justice minister, said Pistorius should only have been considered for parole on Friday.
A prison review board now has up to four months to decide whether Oscar Pistorius will be released into house arrest, a spokesman for South Africa’s justice ministry said.
Jacqui Mofokeng, a member of a women’s advocacy group, said Steenkamp’s mother, June, told her it was the “best day ever for Reeva” when news broke that Pistorius would not be released as expected on Friday after just 10 months behind bars.
Mr Masutha put Pistorius’s early release – scheduled for today – on hold, saying it was approved too soon.
The Pistorius family say they have not yet made a decision on whether to challenge the minister but it is considering its options.
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Still, despite being approved in the same way as numerous 15,000 offenders released under correctional supervision past year, Pistorius must wait in jail for a new hearing.
