Oscar Pistorius Arrest Warrant Issued - Reports

Prosecutors in South Africa have issued a warrant of arrest for Oscar Pistorius after he was convicted of murder, according to reports.

He was convicted of manslaughter last year after shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but the conviction was changed to murder by an appeal judge this week.

According to eNCA televison, an arrest warrant has been issued by the National Prosecuting Authority but it only plans to enforce it next week.

NPA spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku was quoted as saying: "We are trying to arrange with the Pretoria High Court that he can appear before court, where the matter will be formally postponed for sentencing.

The Paralympian was originally convicted of culpable homicide - similar to manslaughter - after a trial.

This week Supreme Court of Appeal judge Justice Leach said Pistorius must have foreseen that firing into the toilet would likely have killed whoever was inside - but he went ahead anyway.

As a result, the conviction was changed to murder. This carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in South Africa.

The appeal centred on the concept of dolus eventualis - a Latin legal phrase meaning the act was carried out knowing it would lead to death.

The appeal court said the concept had been incorrectly applied by Judge Masipa in the original trial.
She must now give Pistorius a new sentence, likely to be in the new year