SA judiciary in the spotlight - analyst
2013-02-22 13:51
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Johannesburg - South Africa's judicial system will come
under global scrutiny as the case against murder accused paralympian Oscar Pistorius continues to make local and international headlines, Media Tenor SA
said on Friday.
Gun ownership, shoddy police work, and high crime levels
would "take a side step" in what could be South Africa's biggest
story in the past ten years, said CEO Wadim Schreiner.
Pistorius has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend
Reeva Steenkamp on 14 February.
Pistorius has been making a formal bail application in the
Pretoria Magistrate's Court since Tuesday.
The matter has attracted international media attention with
journalists and news teams being sent to cover the case.
Schreiner said the manner in which the case had been reported
on across the globe so far was fair with both the defence and prosecution's
argument being reported on.
"So far, they [international media] appreciate the
legal process," he said.
Dewani case
"At this point, there is no doubt that the most
important thing is the judicial process, as we are yet to deal with
Dewani," Schreiner said.
Shrien Dewani of the United Kingdom is accused of
orchestrating the murder of his wife Anni while they were on honeymoon in South
Africa in November 2010.
Although he has denied the allegations, efforts are being
made to have him extradited to South Africa to stand trial.
In December last year Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle said
Dewani, whose extradition was halted in March over mental health concerns,
would face a five-day hearing from 1 July if he was fit to stand trial.
The outcome of Pistorius's bail application was expected to
be heard after lunch on Friday.
Pretoria Magistrate Desmond Nair adjourned proceedings after
hearing submissions from the State and the defence.
- SAPA
