Oscar Pistorius release put on hold by S. African justice department

JOHANNESBURG – Two days before he was due to leave prison, Oscar Pistorius’ early release was suddenly put on hold Wednesday by South Africa’s Department of Justice, which sent his case back to a parole board.

It was unclear when the board would be able to meet again, justice department spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said, but it was unlikely a new decision could be made by Friday’s initially planned release date.

Pistorius, the double-amputee Olympic runner, is serving a five-year sentence for manslaughter for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. He was eligible to be moved from jail to house arrest after serving one-sixth of that sentence, or 10 months, which is up on Friday.

Wednesday would also have been Steenkamp’s 32nd birthday.