Johannesburg - The ANC Women's League on Monday welcomed the NPA's decision to appeal the conviction and sentence of paralympian Oscar Pistorius.
“We remain convinced that another court could have justifiably reached a conviction of murder rather than culpable homicide in this case and we thus support the NPA in their application,” spokeswoman Edna Molewa said in a statement.
“As previously indicated, the ANC Women's League will be making an application to be admitted as a friend of the court in this matter.”
Members of the African National Congress Women's League were in court supporting the family of Reeva Steenkamp during Pistorius's trial.
The National Prosecuting Authority announced on Monday it would appeal.
“The appeal on conviction is based on the question of law,” spokesman Nathi Mncube said in a statement.
“The merits and the demerits of the NPA's argument in this regard will become evident when we file papers for leave to appeal.”
Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for the culpable homicide killing of his girlfriend, law graduate and model Reeva Steenkamp.
For discharging a firearm at Tasha's restaurant in January 2013, he was sentenced to three years' jail, suspended for five years.
The sentences would run concurrently, Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled.
Mncube said prosecutors Gerrie Nel and Andrea Johnson had been studying the judgment, doing research and consulting legal experts to establish if there were sufficient grounds to appeal.
“The prosecutors are now preparing the necessary papers in order to be able to file within the next few days,” Mncube said.
Sapa