He was due to be transferred from prison to house arrest on Friday, when he was expected to stay at his uncle’s three-story mansion in the capital, Pretoria.
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Pistorius was convicted of manslaughter last year after shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
According to a report in BBC, the justice ministry has put the release on hold until a further review and the decision, which “was taken prematurely” and with “no legal basis” has now been sent back to the parole board.
In blocking Pistorius’ release, the justice department said he was approved for home correctional supervision by parole officials in June, only eight months into his sentence.
Under South African law, Pistorius is eligible for release under “correctional supervision”, having served a sixth of his sentence.
Wednesday would also have been Steenkamp’s 32nd birthday, and her parents earlier held a beachside ceremony in their hometown of Port Elizabeth on South Africa’s south coast.
The justice minister’s decision to review Pistorius’ early release was “valid”, said Mannie Witz, a South African criminal law expert, but continuing Pistorius’ detention could be challenged in court.
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.
Masutha had explained that in terms of the law, early release could only be considered once a prisoner had served one sixth of their sentence.
But the intervention by Mr Masutha, who is a lawyer, could have implications for many other cases which are less prominent.
It explained that the surprise decision came after Masutha scrutinised a petition from the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa.
It seems as though his last-minute intervention was the result of this political pressure.
Alexander said though the Steenkamp family might be going through a lot, Oscar would be in an emotional state as he has probably been attending courses to prepare him for the release.
He was found guilty of culpable homicide, and discharging a firearm in a restaurant, and was sentenced to spend five years in jail.
The double amputee shot and killed Ms Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door at his Pretoria home, believing she was an intruder, he told his trial. His defence team has a month to file its response. The athlete – nicknamed the “Blade Runner” for the prosthetic legs he wears on the track – won international fame after racing against able-bodied competitors in the 2012 London Olympics.
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