South Africa: Pistorius Bail Decision due in Pretoria Court
The South African Paralympic sprinter has denied the murder charge against him in which he shot Reeva Steenkamp, 29, in the early morning hours of Valentine’s Day at his home, thinking she was an intruder.
Pistorius stunned many during the 2012 Summer Olypmics when he became the first amputee to participate and win medal in able-bodied track games, where he was part of
He won gold medals in the men's 400 metre race in a Paralympic record time of 46.68 seconds and in the in a world record time of 41.78 seconds. He also took a silver in the 200 metres race, having set a world record of 21.30 seconds in the semifinal.
Lawyers presenting Pistorius say evidence presented by a detective has undermined the prosecution case. His defence now wants bail to help their client prepare for the case, but the prosecution demand bail should be refused, arguing that the Olympian may abscond.
The prosecution has told the court that it was a premeditated murder, where Pistorius fired four shots through a locked toilet door at Steenkamp on the outside, wounding her in the head, arm and hip.
Witnesses told the court they heard gunshots and screams from the home. In an affidavit read in court, the athlete says he was acting in self-defence from the mistaken “an intruder” whom he believes was lurking outside.
The prosecution say Pistorius also known as the “Blade runner” should not be treated differently on basis of his fame or his disability.
His limbs were amputated halfway between his knees and ankles when he was 11 months old following a birth deformity and has been using prosthetic limbs giving him the blade runner forename.
His coach Ampie Louw has said the athlete would resume training next week if granted bail. He could face months in prison before full trial begins later this month if denied bail.
Meanwhile the lead detective in the Pistorius case, Hilton Botha was replaced on Thursday after it emerged that he faced attempted murder charges. Police Lt Gen Vineshkumar Moonoo, country’s senior most investigator to take lead in the case.
Mr Botha is expected to appear in court in May in connection with a 2009 shooting incident where he and other officers opened fire on a minibus taxi whose driver apparently disobeyed an order to stop.
Fresh Clashes in
Joint French and Malian forces have battled with rebels in fresh clashes in the northern city of
The French and Malian troops exchanged heavy mortar and gun fire on Thursday, on the streets of the town after it was reported that the Islamist fighters had infiltrated the city through the
A local government office and petrol station were on fire during the heavy fighting in the streets of the town which has served as the hub for French operations in Kidal town where many of the rebels are believed to have retreated and foreign hostages may be held.
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, told reporters in
"Malian troops supported by French soldiers killed five jihadists and the situation is back to normal," said Mr Le Drian.
Elswhere in the remote far north town of Kidal, about 300km northeast of Gao, French forces are hunting fighters are hunting the Islamist fighters after a car bomb exploded earlier Thursday and killed two people.
French defence ministry has confirmed the car bomb in Kidal and said it did not appear it was targered on the French troops.
This is the second time the French forces are battling the rebels in Gao town since the French forces took the city on January 26, following last week’s clashes in the city.
The Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) which has claimed to have its fighters battling the joint forces in the city has said it would remain there in combat until victory.
France has been battling rebels in the law-less northern Mali under its military campaign launched in January 11 at request of the Malian government after Islamist rebels controlling the region threatened to overrun the capital Bamako, after intensified invasion southwards.