Oscar Pistorius’ brother facing his own murder trial

Carl Pistorius, brother of athlete Oscar Pistorius, is due to stand trial in late March over the death of a woman. He is charged with culpable homicide after a female motorcyclist was killed in an accident involving his car in 2008.

Details of the charge have only just come to light. The accident occurred in the town of Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Charges which were brought against Carl Pistorius at the time of the incident, were then dropped and have now been reinstated.

The family lawyer, Kenny Oldwage, is defending both brothers. He released a statement in which he said that “there is no doubt that Carl is innocent and the charge will be challenged in court”.

He added that “Carl deeply regrets the incident”.

Oldwage explained how tests carried out at the time revealed no traces of alcohol in Carl’s system when the incedent took place. 

The case against Carl Pistorius bears no relation to that of his brother Oscar, who has been charged with premeditated murder for the shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Oscar denies murder, maintaining he believed Ms Steenkamp to be an intruder and killed her accidentally.

Carl attended the four day bail hearing in support of his brother, who was released on bail on Friday.

Molly Kersey