South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that it will be appealing both the verdict and the sentence given to the athlete.
They have said that they will attempt to have the ‘culpable homicide’ verdict overturned and replaced with one of second degree murder, which would carry a mandatory minimum tariff of 15 years.
Some South African authorities have reportedly been unhappy with the trial’s outcome, which they see as an incorrect application of the law.
Thhe NPA will, in the next few days, submit papers to judge Thokozile Masipa requesting a ‘leave to appeal’. She must subsequently decide whether a second judge might reach a different conclusion to the case, based on all the available evidence.
If judge Masipa rejects such application, the NPA may direct its request to the South African Supreme Court.