Special treatment for Pistorius - ANCWL
2013-02-21 10:42
Johannesburg - The authorities must explain why
murder-accused athlete Oscar Pistorius was getting "special
treatment", the ANC Women's League said on Thursday.
"The ANCWL is calling for an explanation as to why
Oscar Pistorious is getting special treatment by being allowed to stay in the
Brooklyn Police Station holding cells as opposed to Central Prison or Newlock
like all other awaiting trial or awaiting bail prisoners," the league
said.
"If there is some special circumstance that permits
this, authorities must share this with the public as they are setting a bad
[precedent]."
Pistorius has been kept in the cells since his arrest on
Thursday following the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his
house in Pretoria.
Bail
His family can visit him "at all hours", unlike
other alleged offenders, complained the league, which has participated in
protests that he not be granted bail.
Should he not be granted bail, the statement continued, he
must be moved to a "proper prison facility".
"A strong message must be sent out that wealth and
celebrity cannot give you an advantage over the law," the league said.
According to a report in Beeld on Thursday, Pistorius is
sleeping on a mattress on a floor in a communal holding cell with one toilet
and shower, possibly also sharing with others.
After his first court appearance last Thursday, the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA) explained that Pistorius would be held at a police
station so that he could consult his lawyers.
"We believe that it is fair for the accused [Pistorius]
so that he can meet with his defence [lawyers]. It is noted that when the
accused is kept at a prison there is no after hours visit, whether from the
legal team or the family," said NPA spokesperson Medupi Simasiku.
"There is no celebrity status [at play] here. It's not a
common practice, but it is a decision of the court. We can't argue regarding
why the court made that decision [to keep Pistorius at the police station]."
- See News24's Pistorius Special Report.
- SAPA
