/ 25 February 2013

Pistorius checks in with authorities

Pistorius Checks In With Authorities

"I confirmed with his uncle Arnold that he did report to authorities," Lunice Johnston said on Monday morning.

However, she would not say where he reported.

"[Oscar] takes this trial very seriously. He takes the conditions very seriously and he will comply with all those conditions," she said.

"He does not want to do anything to impede his case. He is committed to the legal process."

Johnston confirmed that Pistorius's bail conditions included he report to authorities on Mondays and Fridays between 7am and 1pm.

Waiting journalists
She said according to Pistorius's uncle, Arnold Pistorius, the matter was no longer in the hands of police but in the hands of correctional services.

Scores of journalists spent the morning waiting outside the Brooklyn police station waiting for Pistorius to arrive but he was not seen.

The 2012 Paralympics 400m gold medalist had spent his first weekend at home, after being held for eight days at the Brooklyn police station.

He is charged with murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot at his home in Pretoria on February 14.

Meanwhile, Gauteng police declined to comment about a report that a top Hawks forensic data analyst would be called in to study cellphone information relating to the murder investigation against Pistorius.

"We are allowing the investigation to take its course. We are not going to run the investigation blow by blow in the media," said Brigadier Neville Malila.

Eyewitness News reported on Monday that the expert analyst would examine cellphone data and shed light on an alleged text message from Reeva Steenkamp's former boyfriend, Francois Hougaard, which reportedly set Pistorius off.

According to the New Age, Hougaard tweeted a message and a picture hours after the shooting, which read: "Happier times with special people. We all miss you so much Reevs". 

Bail conditions
In an affidavit submitted as part of his application for bail, Pistorius said he had thought there was an intruder in his house when he fired the shots.

After listening to extensive argument, Nair ruled that the sprinter was not a flight risk, and that the state had not shown that he had a propensity for violence.

Pistorius was granted bail of R1-million. He was allowed to pay an initial installment of R100 000, with the balance due by March 1. He is expected back in court on June 4.

The conditions of bail included that Pistorius not be charged with any offence relating to violence against women; not return to his home in Silver Woods country estate; not apply for travel documents; and not take banned substances or alcohol. – Sapa