Oscar Pistorius treated for wrist injuries, denies suicide attempt

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, serving six years in jail for murdering his girlfriend, was treated in hospital for minor wrist injuries on Saturday before being returned to custody, a prison service spokesman said.

The Paralympic gold medallist, who had his term for the Valentine's Day 2013 killing of Reeva Steenkamp increased to six years in July, denied he had tried to kill himself, the spokesman for the department of correctional services said on Sunday.

South African prosecutors have said they will appeal against the six-year term, which they called "shockingly lenient".

Newspaper City Press earlier said Pistorius, known as Blade Runner for the carbon-fibre prosthetics he wore when racing, was rushed to hospital around midday on Saturday.

It quoted a security guard as saying: "He had bad cuts on his wrists and the doctors kept wrapping bandages around them."

An inmate situated close to the hospital section told the paper Pistorius had injured himself intentionally, and it quoted two warders with knowledge of the section as saying razor blades were found in his cell.

Asked to comment, Pistorius' family spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess told Reuters there would be no statement at this stage.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
related articles
Pistorius sentence: Too lenient? Too harsh? Why do you even care?
Pistorius sentence: Too lenient? Too harsh? Why do you even care?

Pistorius sentence: Too lenient? Too harsh? Why do you even care?

Pistorius trial: Christian faith means 'it is right to forgive Oscar', Steenkamp's father tells court

Pistorius trial: Christian faith means 'it is right to forgive Oscar', Steenkamp's father tells court

Oscar Pistorius sentenced to six years for murder
Oscar Pistorius sentenced to six years for murder

Oscar Pistorius sentenced to six years for murder

News
‘We’ve had nothing like this’ - over 30,000 attend historic Franklin Graham evangelical gathering in Belarus
‘We’ve had nothing like this’ - over 30,000 attend historic Franklin Graham evangelical gathering in Belarus

The two-day “Festival of Hope”, organised by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), drew almost 31,000 people to Chizhovka Arena in the Belarusian capital.

Despite minor improvements, Saudi Arabia remains a tough place for Christians
Despite minor improvements, Saudi Arabia remains a tough place for Christians

Officially, conversion from Islam carries the death penalty.

Calls to free Nicaraguan Protestant pastor unjustly imprisoned for four years
Calls to free Nicaraguan Protestant pastor unjustly imprisoned for four years

A Christian rights organisation has intensified calls for the release of imprisoned Nicaraguan pastor Efrén Antonio Vílchez López

Church of Scotland urged to adapt funding model
Church of Scotland urged to adapt funding model

The Church of Scotland had an unexpectedly good financial year but more change is needed for long-term financial sustainability.