Date Set For Oscar Pistorius Appeal Hearing

A request by prosecutors to appeal against Oscar Pistorius' conviction for manslaughter and five-year jail term will be heard on December 9.

They argue he should have been found guilty of murder for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through a toilet cubicle door at his Pretoria home.

The South African prosecutors claimed their appeal over Judge Thokozile Masipa's verdict and prison sentence has "reasonable prospects" of success.

The Paralympian athlete could be released after serving 10 months behind bars. He would then complete the rest of the sentence under house arrest at his uncle's home.

The punishment had previously described as "shockingly light" by prosecutors.

Judge Masipa found the double amputee not guilty of murder, ruling he did not intend to kill when he fired his gun four times.

Pistorius, 27, was convicted of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, by the judge, who said he acted negligently.

He claimed he mistook Miss Steenkamp for an intruder when he killed her on Valentine's Day last year.

Prosecutors must first apply to Judge Masipa for permission to ultimately appeal her decisions in the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Their initial application will be heard next month by her at North Gauteng High Court, the same courthouse where Pistorius' seven-month murder trial was held.

Legal expert Marius du Toit said Pistorius' defence team "would be very nervous" if the case was referred to the Supreme Court of Appeal because of the chance of a murder conviction.

South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority said it had been informed by Pistorius' defence lawyers that they would oppose the appeal.

Pistorius can attend next month's hearing and apply to be released from prison on bail if the appeal goes ahead, prosecution spokesman Nathi Mncube said.

The athlete's lawyer Brian Webber said he had not discussed with his client if he would appear in court or if they would seek bail.