/ 8 March 2013

Pistorius to challenge bail conditions

Oscar Pistorius.
Oscar Pistorius.

His lawyers would seek to have several of his bail conditions scrapped or altered, eNCA reported on Friday night.

In papers before the North Gauteng High Court, his lawyers argued that Pistorius should to be able to travel, given that magistrate Desmond Nair found during his bail application that he was not a flight risk.

They argue he should be able to travel if given permission from his case investigating officer, eNCA reported. Pistorius' legal team also contend it should not be necessary for him to report to the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria.

They also sought an end to being supervised by a probation officer and submitting to compulsory drug and alcohol testing.

"There is no desire by the appellant to use any prohibited substance or alcohol, but the condition imposed is not warranted or substantiated by facts," the application reportedly read.

Return to his Pretoria home
Pistorius would also ask the court to allow him to return to his Pretoria home where he shot his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day.

His legal team said it was unfair to place a "blanket order" which does not allow him to talk to the residents within the security complex.

In an affidavit submitted as part of his bail application, Pistorius said he thought he was shooting at an intruder behind a closed bathroom door.

He was granted R1-million bail on Friday February 22.

Pistorius was allowed to pay an initial instalment of R100 000, with the balance due by March 1. Steenkamp was cremated in a private ceremony in Port Elizabeth on February 19. Pistorius's next court appearance is on June 4. – Sapa