Oscar Pistorius prison release put on hold

South African athlete has served 10 months for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius being led down to the cells of the court in Pretoria, South Africa. Photograph: Reuters
Oscar Pistorius being led down to the cells of the court in Pretoria, South Africa. Photograph: Reuters

South Africa’s Department of Justice has put Oscar Pistorius’s prison release on hold until his case is reviewed again by a parole board.

Pistorius will now not be released on parole on Friday as expected.

Department spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said Pistorius’s release will have to be reviewed again because he was approved to be moved to house arrest too early.

Pistorius should have served 10 months of his sentence before being considered for release, said Mr Mhaga.

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The double-amputee runner was approved for parole in June, eight months into his sentence.

He was due to be moved to house arrest on Friday after serving 10 months of his five-year sentence for manslaughter for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

Mr Mhaga did not say when the parole board would meet to consider Pistorius for release from jail.