Oscar Pistorius at an earlier court appearance
Oscar Pistorius would be employed should he be granted a noncustodial sentence.
And the job will allow the convicted murderer to use “his skills to enhance the lives of others”.
This‚ suggested the first witness called in the Paralympian’s re-sentencing proceedings‚ could complement any community service the court deems he should serve.
This emerged during clinical psychologist Professor Jonathan Scholtz’s testimony in mitigation of sentence in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.
Pistorius’ culpable homicide conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) and the decision upheld by the Constitutional Court. He is now to be sentenced for murder. Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend‚ Reeva Steenkamp‚ on February 14‚ 2013.
Scholtz told the court that Pistorius had been offered a offered a job as a project manager in an early child development programme run by a company his uncle Arnold Pistorius owns.
“It would be better if he gave back in constructive ways — using his skills to enhance the lives of others‚” he told the court.
Arnold‚ who lives in the upmarket Waterkloof suburb in Pretoria‚ is part of a successful family business reported to have diverse interests‚ including mining‚ tourism and property.
Scholtz also noted that he was studying by correspondence – in December‚ Pistorius had‚ in an affidavit to the high court‚ claimed to have enrolled in a business law course with the London School of Economics.
Scholtz‚ who examined Pistorius when he underwent observation at Weskoppies Hospital in 2014‚ told the court that Pistorius’ severe anxiety‚ depression and post-traumatic stress disorder had worsened.
Scholtz‚ led by Pistorius’ lawyer‚ Barry Roux‚ said: “This is probably due to the negative attitude of the public and being vilified in the media. If he were my patient I would have him hospitalised.”
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel — who accused Scholtz of bias and described Pistorius as an unrepentant liar‚ aggressive and verbally violent to prison officials – will continue with his cross-examination on Tuesday.
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