More trouble for Pistorius
South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) will hear the state’s appeal against the six-year murder sentence handed to Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius on Nov. 3, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.
The state will argue that six years in jail is too lenient a sentence for the murder by Pistorius of Reeva Steenkamp, his girlfriend, in 2013. “The state, in the papers, we stipulate clearly that the sentence imposed is shockingly low,” said NPA spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku. “.... with this matter, the presiding officer exercised that discretion in a very lenient manner.”
Women’s rights groups in a country beset by high levels of violent crime against women say Oscar Pistorius has received preferential treatment compared to non-whites and those without his wealth or international celebrity status.
The Indian women’s hockey team ended their Europe Tour on a high after getting the better of the Belgium junior men’s team 4-3 in a thrilling encounter here.
For India, Gurjit Kaur (7th and 11th minutes) and captain Rani (13th and 33rd minutes) scored twice to give the visitors their first win of the tour.
A rampant Indian team started the match with enthralling attacking play as they earned a penalty corner in the 7th minute, which was converted by Gurjit to give India lead.
Mid-fielder Amarjit Singh has been unanimously elected as the captain of Indian team for the upcoming FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be held across the country.