Pistorius likely to face two additional charges

Murder accused Paralympian Oscar Pistorius is likely to face two additional charges of recklessly discharging a firearm, but the indictments will not be served on him at his next court appearance on Monday, it was reported yesterday.

Earlier this week prosecutors wrapped up their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of Reeva Steenkamp, a South African model Mr Pistorius shot dead at his home in the early hours of St Valentine’s Day this year.

The high profile pair were in a relationship at the time, and Mr Pistorius claims he mistook his girlfriend for a burglar hiding in the bathroom of his home in a wealthy gated community in Pretoria.

Premeditated murder
On Monday, Mr Pistorius will be charged with premeditated murder and the illegal possession of ammunition. The presiding magistrate is expected to name a trial date for early next year before sending the case the North Gauteng High Court for hearing.

In a new twist to the case, yesterday it was reported that prosecutors are considering adding two additional charges to the case at a later date.

While the National Prosecuting Authority was said to have given its lead prosecutor the go-ahead to add the charges, it is understood they will hold off because Mr Pistorius’s defence team wants to make representations to the court on Monday.

In one instance relating to the extra charges, Mr Pistorius allegedly discharged a handgun at an upmarket restaurant in Johannesburg as he handled it. This occurred last January.

In relation to the second incident Mr Pistorius’s former girlfriend, Samantha Taylor, has reportedly become a state witness and provided an affidavit in which she claims he discharged a gun through the sunroof of her car shortly after being stopped by the police.

Mr Pistorius is said to have fired the weapon while she was driving. City Press newspaper has previously reported on Ms Taylor’s year-and-a-half relationship with Mr Pistorius and their subsequent breakup.

She told the newspaper: “Oscar is certainly not what people think he is”. Monday’s court appearance coincides with Ms Steenkamp’s 30th birthday.

The athlete has pleaded innocent to the murder charge. Mr Pistorius has been out on one million rand bail since late February.

His strict bail conditions were revised in March to allow him to travel abroad providing police okay his travel plans.

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