Oscar let out to go to grandmother’s funeral

Oscar Pistorius has been transferred from Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria to the nearby Atteridgeville Correctional Centre. File photo: Siphiwe Sibeko

Oscar Pistorius has been transferred from Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria to the nearby Atteridgeville Correctional Centre. File photo: Siphiwe Sibeko

Published Oct 18, 2016

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Durban - Oscar Pistorius got out of prison for four hours on Friday after being granted compassionate leave to attend the funeral of his grandmother.

He joined his family for the memorial service for Gerti Pistorius, leaving the Kgosi Mampuru prison at 8am and returning at noon.

“Offender Pretorius” was taken to the service by the Correctional Services Emergency Support Team, an elite security unit, Correctional Services spokesman Maneliso Wolela said on Tuesday.

The other security details involved were not being divulged, Wolela said.

Pistorius’s request to attend the funeral was granted because he was classified low risk.

Wolela said that additional to these conditions, the head of a correctional centre had discretion based on the conduct and behaviour of an applicant.

It was important to note that compassionate leave was granted for the attendance of funerals and/or a serious sickness where it involved a relative.

This application was processed in accordance with the Departmental Policy on Amenities of Inmates, which details a number of privileges for offenders “and it was introduced primarily to encourage offenders towards good behaviour, to instil a sense of responsibility in them and to ensure their interest and co-operation in social reintegration programmes, while ensuring that public safety is not compromised”.

The Olympian is serving six years for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Daily News

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