SOUTH AFRICA: The brother of Oscar Pistorius is facing a culpable homicide charge for a 2008 road death.

Carl Pistorius was allegedly involved in a crash with a woman motorcyclist and he was supposed to be in court last Thursday, as his brother Oscar was facing a bail hearing.

Oscar's lawyer Kenny Oldwage said Carl had been involved in a car accident "in which a woman motorcyclist sadly lost her life.

He added: "There is no doubt that Carl is innocent and the charge will be challenged in court."

He said: "Blood tests conducted by the police at the time proved that he had not been under the influence of alcohol.

"It was a tragic road accident after the deceased collided with Carl's car."

He said the charges had initially been dropped, only to be reinstated later.

Carl was seen driving into the home of their uncle Arnold early yesterday in a wealthy suburb of Pretoria where Oscar is now staying.

The problems surrounding his older brother Carl are the latest twist in a case that has transfixed South Africa and the world.

Oscar Pistorius has been charged with premeditated murder, but the famed Paralympian athlete says he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp accidentally, opening fire after mistaking her for an intruder in his Pretoria home.