Oscar Pistorius may just be headed for the tracks after Judge Bam agrees that the paralympian’s bail conditions were indeed too strict. – image – www.bloomberg.com
Oscar Pistorius was not present in a North Gauteng court today when Judge Bert Bam ruled in favour of the defence team’s appeal of the athlete’s bail conditions. This ruling effectively means that Pistorius can conditionally travel outside of South Africa, no longer requires the supervision of a probation officer and can enjoy alcohol.
The famous South African athlete shot and killed his girlfriend of a few months while she was in the bathroom of his home in a security complex in Pretoria. Reeva Steenkamp was a young model who looked set to make an unforgettable mark as a television personality when she died.
Oscar Pistorius prepared a statement in which he said that the shooting was a mistake. His version of events is that he thought intruders had invaded his home and in a split second, he decided to shoot in order to protect both himself and his girlfriend. The prosecution argues that Oscar killed his girlfriend in cold-blood after a heated argument in the early hours of Valentine’s Day.
One of the bail conditions that were disregarded had stipulated that should another accusation of abuse or violence against women surface against Oscar, he would be found guilty of breaching his bail agreement. The Guardian confirmed that, as far as Judge Bam is concerned, this condition is fraudulent.
This court decision has great implications on the paralympian’s career. His agent, Peet van Zyl, was upbeat about the prospects of Oscar competing in international tournaments. Though there are no definite plans for travel or competition at this point, Pistorius and his agent are pleased to know that it would be left up to the athlete and the various regulatory bodies in the athletic fraternity to decide on Oscar’s participation in competition.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Medupe Simasiku, chose not to comment about how this ruling affects the state’s case going forward. However, he did say that the primary focus at this point was the trial. As soon as the investigation into the shooting at the Pistorius residence, the date for the commencement of the trial could be set.
Today’s events were preceded by the appearance of Carl Pistorius in another court just yesterday. Oscar’s brother is allegedly responsible for the death of a woman on a motorcycle five years ago.
