Pistorius hit with two additional charges

Murder accused Oscar Pistorius File photo: Siphiwe Sibeko

Murder accused Oscar Pistorius File photo: Siphiwe Sibeko

Published Nov 20, 2013

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Johannesburg - Murder-accused paralympian Oscar Pistorius was served with a new indictment on Wednesday, which includes two additional charges, the National Prosecuting Authority said.

"The two counts that have been added relate to contraventions of some sections of the Firearms Control Act," said spokesman Nathi Mncube.

"Mr Pistorius was made aware of the new challenge today. I am not prepared to comment on the nature of the charges."

Pistorius was charged with murder after he shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his Pretoria home on February 14. At his bail hearing Pistorius submitted that he thought Steenkamp was an intruder.

The trial would run from March 3 to 20 in the High Court in Pretoria.

The initial indictment lists 107 witnesses to testify for the State.

Among them are Pistorius's sister Aimee, his uncle Arnold, former police investigator Hilton Botha, and residents of the Silver Woods Country Estate in Pretoria, where Steenkamp was killed.

Medical experts, a weather forecaster, paramedics, and ballistic and forensic experts will be called. Also on the list are two people from Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, where Pistorius allegedly accidentally fired a gun in a busy restaurant in January, narrowly missing a friend's foot.

Former soccer player Mark Bachelor, who said that after an argument with the paralympian Pistorius had threatened to break his legs, is also expected to testify.

Part of the indictment relating to his alleged contravention of the Firearms Control Act reads: "In that on or about 16 February 2013 and at (Silver Woods Country estate address) the accused (Pistorius) did unlawfully have in his possession ammunition, to wit 38 x 38 rounds, without being the holder of a licence in respect of a firearm capable of discharging that ammunition."

Sapa

 

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