S.Africa sets date for Pistorius parole review: family

The South African review board that will decide on the release of Oscar Pistorius is to meet on September 18, his family said Thursday, after the Paralympian’s parole was delayed last week.

Pistorius, who has been in jail for 10 months over the killing of his girlfriend, was expected to be freed last Friday to house arrest.

But in a surprise move, the justice minister blocked his release, saying the proper procedure has not been followed.

Pistorius is set to remain in jail as the review panel, which includes three judges, could take weeks or even months to make its decision.

“We do understand that the parole (review) board will be sitting on the 18th of September,” said a family spokesman who asked not to be identified.

“That date has been set.”

The double-amputee sprinter, 28, was sentence in October to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013.

He was found guilty of culpable homicide, after saying during the trial that he shot her through a locked bathroom door because he mistook her for an intruder.

The prosecution has appealed the verdict and is seeking a murder conviction, saying Pistorius deliberately killed Steenkamp after an argument.