Pretoria - There were mixed emotions from paralympian Oscar Pistorius's supporters on Tuesday, ahead of his sentencing in the High Court in Pretoria.
“This morning there is quite a lot of anxiety and mixed emotions,” supporter Kayla Nolan said.
“He must be pretty anxious this morning. To be honest, I am sh****ng my pants this morning for him, so I can't imagine how he must feel.”
She said there was a lot of anxiety and mixed emotions from Pistorius's supporters and the prayer group for him.
Nolan has been in court a few times since the start of the trial.
The 19-year-old has often gone to greet Pistorius during lunch and tea breaks.
She said she is thankful for the athlete’s family.
“Thank the Lord that he has a great family support system.”
Asked by a friend why media were interviewing her, Nolan said: “It's probably because I'm disabled.”
Veronica Theron from Pretoria North, achieved her dream of touching her hero on Thursday, and the short, salt and pepper haired 55-year-old was outside the court again on Tuesday to support Pistorius.
“I got up very early. The waiting is terrible,” she said.
“I feel for Oscar. I think he must be going through hell, it must be terrible.”
She said that when she met Pistorius in court last week, she told him she was thinking of him.
Theron said speaking to Reeva Steenkamp's family was emotional.
“I think both families are feeling it, especially today. Whatever happens, I support Oscar.”
Theron was hoping the athlete would get community service.
Meanwhile spectators who gathered outside the court expressed their take on Pistorius’s sentencing.
“I think he should get 10 years in jail... Jub Jub (musician Molemo Maarohanye) and his friend are serving a sentence...the judge should do likewise,” said Milton Sibusiso Ndimande who stopped by the court precinct on his way to work.
His friend Milton Zungu disagreed.
“Incarcerating him would put his profession in jeopardy. He needs to continue training and participate in sports. I think the judge should hand him a suspended sentence.”
Millicent Mokgwe,18, said the court should support justice for abused women.
“The judge is a woman..she must come to the party. Whatever comes out at the end of the day. Justice should be served, please.” - Sapa