STELLENBOSCH, South Africa — South African police confiscated 49 cellphones after officers used them to photograph of Oscar Pistorius when he was first arrested following the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

In a written reply to a question in parliament, police minister Nathi Mthethwa said four "official" cellphones and 45 private cellphones were taken from officers and could be used as evidence in possible disciplinary proceedings against them.

Mthethwa did not reveal how many police officers had taken photos of Pistorius, but said they were taken while the athlete was being transported between court and Boschkop police station, where he was initially held.

Without naming Pistorius, Mthethwa's reply said confiscating the phones was necessary "after it came to light that photos were taken of a high profile individual who had been arrested."