Pistorius to face additional gun charges in murder trial

South Africa’s Olympic and Paralympic track star, Oscar Pistorius, will face two additional gun-related charges at his trial, prosecutors said on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old double-amputee is being tried for the murder of his girlfriend and the trial is due to start in March 2014.
Pistorius, who is on bail, says he acted in self-defence after mistaking his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, for an intruder when he shot and killed her.
She was shot in the head, arm and hip in the Valentine’s Day incident at Pistorius’ up-market home in February.
The additional charges related to incidents prior to the February shooting in which Pistorius was alleged to have fired a gun in a public space.
This will form part of the prosecution’s overall murder case against Pistorius.
Prosecutors have portrayed Pistorius as a cold-blooded killer.
They said they were confident that their case, which will have to rely heavily on forensics and witnesses, would stand up to scrutiny.
“The new charges relate to the contravention of the Firearm Control Act, but I cannot go into the details,” Nathi Mncube, spokesman for South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority, told Reuters.
Mncube could not say if the additional charges might delay the existing March 3 start date for the trial.
Pistorius’ lawyer, Brian Webber, confirmed his client would face additional charges but declined to comment further.
The double-amputee, known as “Blade Runner” for the prostheses he wears in competition, appeared in court in August when his trial date was set for next year.
A lesser charge of having 38 rounds of unlicensed ammunition at his home was also presented on that occasion.
South African media have reported one previous incident in which Pistorius allegedly fired a gun at a restaurant and another alleged incident in which he fired shots through a car sunroof.
Pistorius was born without fibulas and had both his legs amputated below the knees before he turned one year old.
He was one of the most celebrated athletes of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London, progressing to the Olympic 400m semi-finals and winning Paralympic gold over the same distance.
His arrest and upcoming trial have riveted South Africa and made headlines around the world and, if convicted, he could face life in prison.
Reuters/NAN.