No special cell prepared for Pistorius ahead of sentencing, say prison authorities

South Africa's prison service has reportedly denied allegations that they have a cell prepared for Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius at one of the country's highest security jail ahead of the double amputee's expected sentencing on Tuesday.

A Correctional Services official had claimed that staff at Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria was already planning for Pistorius' arrival ahead of the athlete's expected sentencing. But spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga moved quickly to deny the allegations.

Mhaga said that any insinuation that the department has prepared a cell to incarcerate anyone who has not yet been sentenced to a jail term is both malicious and irresponsible, The Daily Star reported.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel has demanded Pistorius be jailed for a minimum of 10 years after shooting and killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day, last year. He said that a sentence for house arrest would be shockingly disproportionate to the crime the six-time Paralympic champion committed.

Meanwhile a jail gang boss dubbed 'The General' has vowed to kill Pistorius if he is sent to prison. Khalil Subjee has claimed he would make life hell for the shamed athlete, famously known as 'Blade Runner'.

Pistorius's lawyer Barry Roux said that this thug, calling himself 'The General', has been in prison for the past 33 years and is the leader of the feared 26s prison gang. He added that using a prison call box, the jailbird promised Pistorius hell, saying his wealth would not buy him a lavish prison lifestyle; instead he would 'be taken out'.

However, members of Steenkamp's family have slammed any suggestion of the world famous athlete escaping a jail term. Steenkamp's cousin Kim Martin said that he really believes Pistorius should pay for what he has done.