Lawyer concerned by Pistorius ruling

Advocate Mannie Witz says others might ask for similar treatment.

FILE: An advocate says that Judge Thokozile Masipa’s ruling on Tuesday may have consequences for other trials. Picture: Supplied.

Prelene Singh | 2066 days ago

CAPE TOWN - Judge Thokozile Masipa's mental evaluation ruling in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial may have consequences for other cases, Advocate Mannie Witz said on Wednesday.

The North Gauteng High Court ruled the athlete be observed as an outpatient for at least seven hours a day on weekdays.

Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his Pretoria East home on Valentine's Day last year.

Last week, Masipa referred Pistorius for psychiatric evaluation.

An assessment will be done to determine whether the athlete's Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) played any role in his actions when he shot and killed the model.

Pistorius will be treated at the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria over the next month.

Oscar Pistorius will undego psychiatric evaluation at the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital for 30 days.

Witz says the ruling may allow other people facing trial to demand the same treatment.

"I'm sure that a lot of people in a similar situation will also want to be kept at a hospital [or receive similar treatment]. I think it's going to create a certain precedent in future and it needs to be assessed."

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Lawyer concerned by Pistorius ruling

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