Pistorius' brother Carl facing culpable homicide charge

The family lawyer of Oscar Pistorius said that the double amputee athlete's older brother is facing a culpable homicide charge for a 2010 road death.

Lawyer Kenny Oldwage would not confirm details of the case Carl Pistorius is facing, but yesterday's development compounded problems for the family after Oscar was charged with premeditated murder in the February 14 shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Carl Pistorius, 28, was allegedly involved in a crash with a woman motorcyclist and he was supposed to be in court last Thursday, as 26-year-old Oscar was facing a bail hearing, according to local media reports.

Oscar Pistorius was released on bail on Friday and Carl was seen driving into the home of their uncle Arnold early on Sunday in Waterkloof, a wealthy suburb of Pretoria, where Oscar is now staying.

The problems surrounding Carl are the latest twist in a case that has transfixed South Africa and much of the world.

"It's also doubly sad because it's involved with Oscar and his brother and all the family - so they have double sort of trouble. So, not good," said Johannesburg resident Jim Plester.

Oscar Pistorius was charged with premeditated murder, but the athlete says he killed his girlfriend accidentally, opening fire after mistaking her for an intruder in his home.

The Pistorius family has yet to react to the accusations that Carl is facing.

On Saturday, the family took steps to lower its profile on social media after someone hacked into Carl's Twitter account. They cancelled all the social media sites for both Oscar's brother and his sister Aimee.

Carl has always been close to Oscar but was notably absent when their uncle Arnold, flanked by Aimee, read out a first reaction to the shooting on February 17, even though he was also on the premises.

The three-storey house where Pistorius is staying with his aunt and uncle lies on a hill with a sweeping view of the capital. It has a large swimming pool and an immaculate garden.

Oscar Pistorius was born with fibula bones and his lower legs were amputated when he was 11 months old. He runs on carbon-fibre blades.

Pistorius is a multiple Paralympic medallist, but he failed to win a medal at the London Olympics, where he ran in the 400 metre race and on South Africa's 4x400 relay team.