After four days of intensive arguing between the State Prosecutor and Pistorius’s legal team in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair ruled that there was no reason why Pistorius should not be granted bail.

“The accused is not a flight risk, he does not have a propensity for violence and there is no evidence before me that his release on bail will cause public outrage.”

Upon Nair’s announcement, Pistorius’s family gave a triumphant cry and stood in a circle hugging each other and crying. Pistorius smiled with relief as he turned to
leave.

Pistorius paid R100 000 to the clerk of the court late yesterday and is expected to pay a further R900 000 by next Friday.

Nair argued that, although Pistorius has the means to travel and live abroad, he is a world-renowned athlete and that he (Nair) could not see why Pistorius would choose to
“duck and dive all his life”.

He also said that, although evidence of Pistorius’s violent tendencies was brought before him, the State was not convincing enough in their arguments that Pistorius has a propensity for violence.

“The witness Hilton Botha merely touched on these violent incidents and did not provide enough evidence,” Nair said.

Nair acknowledged, however, that he found it difficult to believe how the accused could not have known that Reeva was not in bed, why he did not ask who was in the bathroom and why Reeva did not answer when he called.

“At the same time, the State has failed to prove the existence of any exceptional circumstances why Pistorius should not be released on bail. Botha’s evidence was weak and he made several mistakes as chief investigating officer of the crime committed,” he said.

Pistorius’s lawyer, Barry Roux, said he thought the ruling was fair and that “deep in his heart he never doubted Pistorius would get bail”.

Pistorius’s conditions of bail include that he hand over all firearms in his possession to the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria; that he report to the station on Mondays
and Fridays between 7am and 1pm; that he will not return to his home in the Silver Woods Estate, nor have contact with any of the residents of the estate and that he not be charged with any other violent offences against women and will not cosume
any alcohol.

Roux said Pistorius had no desire to return to his house in Silver Woods.
Pistorius’s uncle Arnold Pistorius told journalists outside the courtroom yesterday they were relieved he got bail but were in mourning over Reeva’s death.

“We are also grateful to Oscar’s legal team for the professional way in which they handled the matter.

As a family we know that Oscar is innocent and this will be revealed during the court case.”

The trial is set to start on June 4.

RELATED ARTICLES: 

Pistorius cop called back to court

Oscar’s violent past is dredged up

'Non-stop fighting' claim in Pistorius case

Pistorius: ‘They loved each other’

Pistorius starts crying in court

Oscar shooting report 'surprised' cops

Information on Steenkamp’s death to be revealed in court

Pistorius in court after shooting

Pistorius held for murder - report