South Africa was waiting for the release of Oscar Pistorius from prison on Tuesday 20 October with bated breath. NBC breaking news disclosed late Monday that he had already left the during the night and was safely ensconced in the home of a relative.
He will remain under house arrest and supervision for the remainder of his five-year sentence for culpable homicide. Oscar has a further four years to serve for shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp during what Oscar thought was a home intrusion.
Oscar started his sentence in October 2014 and has to complete his sentence before he can participate in the Para-Olympics.
The Para-Olympic Committee says that he will not be able to participate in the 2016 games.
Quite how they felt he would be able to participate when he is under house arrest is a bit obscure, but one feels they need to say something. Much like everyone in South Africa, people worldwide have an opinion about Oscar.
Oscar’s Lawyer confirmed to 24 News that he arrived at the home of his relatives at around 11 pm. last night.
He may still face further legal battles as the Minister of Justice stated that they intend to seek to overturn his culpable homicide conviction, which is similar to the USA Manslaughter conviction. The prosecution is still hoping the Supreme Court will return a guilty verdict for Murder in early November this year.
Many groups, especially women's organisations are still hoping for a guilty conviction.
South African radio stations commented that the Correctional Services had let him out some hours early which was a good thing. Downtown Johannesburg is already filled with traffic issues arising from protests regarding student registration at the University of Witwatersrand.
Demonstrators who planned action today will be disappointed at the earlier release.
A member of an Oscar support group told this reporter that when Oscar was arrested, "the hate went so deeply, so quickly, that people can't be shaken from this belief that it was premeditated murder. They convicted him without needing a trial.
Right from the start, the legal process has been bent to deliver Oscar to that verdict."
Oscar Pistorius House Arrest on the cards
Heartbreak for Scotland as Australia edge a thrilling Rugby World Cup quarter-final
