South African prosecutors file Pistorius appeal as he is due to be release on Friday

 

 

South African state prosecutors on Monday in Pretoria filed an appeal against the verdict of culpable homicide passed on Oscar Pistorius for killing his girlfriend, arguing the athlete should have been convicted of murder.

 Luvuyo Mfaku, National Prosecuting Authority Spokesman, said the team had filed an appeal against the judgment delivered by Judge Thokozile Masipa.

 He said the legal team had a month to file its response to the appeal, which the Supreme Court, was expected to hear in November.

 

Mfaku said they wanted the verdict to be made equivalent to manslaughter.

 

Meanwhile, Pistorius is due to be released on Friday after serving 10 months of a five-year sentence, in line with South Africa's custodial guidelines for non-dangerous prisoners.

 

The prison officials said Pistorius would be taken on his release from prison on Friday to mansion arrest.

 

``While on 'mansion arrest'' he would wear an electronic tracking tag.

 

``Pistorius is due to serve the rest of his term in custodial supervision, a form of house arrest,’’ he said.

 

The official said he would be mostly confined to the home of his uncle, Arnold, a high-walled manor in the leafy suburb of Waterkloof that features more than a dozen bedrooms, a private gym, outdoor swimming pool and landscaped gardens.

 

The athlete, according to the official, will likely be allowed to leave the house to work, carry out community service or to attend important family events. (Reuters/NAN)