News update on the Oscar Pistorius murder case points to Judge Thokozile Masipa finding a supporter from the South African Chief Justice over her culpable homicide ruling on the killing of Reeva Steenkamp.

In a report from Gospel Herald, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng gave his opinion on Masipa's ruling on Oscar Pistorius murder case.

"I think it was vicious. I think judges must be criticized," he said. "We expect them to be critical of us, but I think there is just a line that we shouldn't cross. We shouldn't be personal."

He said that Masipa's ruling evoked the emotion of the public, particularly in South Africa, who expected "a particular outcome and nothing else."

The Chief Justice added, "But even when a proper analysis of the facts and the law leads a magistrate or a judge to a conclusion that is different to that which we expected, then we begin to suspect foul play. We begin to suspect that there is something wrong with the judge."

According to Sportsworld News, Judge Masipa "demonstrated uncommon wisdom" when she granted the petition by prosecutors to appeal her ruling on the Oscar Pistorius murder case.

"She said that it was reasonable that her interpretation of whether Oscar Pistorius should have known that firing into a bathroom door might kill the person on the other side could be subject to a different conclusion from a different judge," it said.

In December, state prosecutors filed for documents requesting a much harsher sentence after the judge on the Oscar Pistorius murder case only handed him five years in prison for culpable homicide.

In a statement, NPA spokesperson Nathi Mncube said: "Today, we announce that the NPA filed the application for leave to appeal both the conviction and sentence. The appeal on conviction is based on the question of law."

Judge Masipa approved the prosecution's petition.