Sports

Jailed SA ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius takes freedom battle to Constitutional Court

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2023

Jailed South African paralympian champion, Oscar Pistorius, has filed an appeal at the country’s highest court, the Constitutional Court or ConCourt, in a bid to regain his freedom.

The Olympic and Paralympic athlete, who was nicknamed the “Blade Runner” in his heyday as he ran on prosthetic blades due to the amputation of both legs when he was 11 months old, is currently serving a 13-year sentence for the 2013 murder of his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, whom he shot dead on Valentine’s Day.

At his initial court appearance, Pistorius had argued that he thought an intruder had broken into his home and was hiding in the bathroom, and he only realized that it was his girlfriend after he opened the door.

After several appeals for an early parole fell through early this year, the convicted murderer has now taken his battle for freedom to the ConCourt.

Previous attempts at the South African Supreme Court of Appeal in March had seen Pistorius denied parole, with the board ordering that he should remain behind bars after it found he had yet to spend the minimum required time behind bars to qualify for parole.

The Department of Correctional Services spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, while addressing a news conference, said the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) would only grant Pistorius another hearing in August 2024.

“The reason provided is that the inmate did not complete the minimum detention period as ruled by the Supreme Court of Appeal,” Singabakho had said.

However, on Thursday, the disgraced athlete’s lawyers approached the ConCourt seeking to clear up the confusion around his sentence and parole.

According to court report, Pistorius is contesting the ruling of the board which he sees as an infringement on his fundamental rights and hopes that the confusion will be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

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Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

23 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”

Sports

South Africa FA President Danny Jordaan detained. Here’s why

Published

4 days ago

November 17, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Danny Jordaan, the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), was taken into custody on Wednesday on suspicion of misusing the organization’s funds for personal gain.

On Tuesday, Jordaan, who played a key role in securing South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup, attempted to have his impending arrest stopped by a court. The case is postponed until Dec. 5.

The matter has been postponed until December 5. Jordaan, who was given 20,000 rand ($1,110) bail, says he has done nothing wrong.

The police raid on the SAFA headquarters in March is what led to the arrest.

Between 2014 and 2018, “the president of SAFA used the organization’s resources for his gain, including hiring a private security company for his protection and a public relations company, without authorisation from the SAFA board,” according to a police spokesperson at the time.

Jordaan, 73, appeared in Palm Ridge magistrates court together with his co-accused, SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo, and businessman Trevor Neethling, who was also given bail.

They have been advised not to communicate with any of the 19 possible state witnesses on the list who may testify against them.