Earlier this week, Pistorius, 29, was told a prison review board has up to four months to decide whether he will be released into house arrest.
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The review panel has up to four months to make its decision.
Mathusa sought to block Pistorius’ release after The Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa, a women’s advocacy group, petitioned against Pistorius’ release on Monday. He also had a complaint about his bed.
Pistorius was due to be released Friday after serving 10 months of a five-year sentence for manslaughter for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He claimed he mistook the model and law graduate for an intruder and acted in self-defence, while prosecutors claim he shot with intent to kill.
“I came to the conclusion that the board had erred by sitting and considering his application for parole before the minimum period that he is required to serve”, Mathusa told a South African radio station on Thursday, according to The Guardian.
The Paralympian was expected to be released on parole following his conviction for killing Ms Steenkamp.
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.
Justice Minister Michael Masutha, however, on Wednesday blocked his proposed release because he said the decision was made without legal basis, an intervention the Pistorius family said left them “shocked and disappointed”. “They built a bath in his cell”, he said.
“Oscar will still have his day in court”, she said, referring to the prosecution’s appeal “we are hoping and wishing him to get between 10 and 15 years, no parole”.
During her last visit, earlier this week, she said he was looking forward to his release into house arrest at his uncle’s palatial home in the suburb of Waterkloof.
“They have always had faith in the justice system”, said lawyer Koen.
Koen said that the Steenkamps still plan on meeting Pistorius face-to-face as part of their healing process.
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Lawyers representing Pistorius have not indicated if they intend opposing the justice minister’s decision.
