Johannesburg -
Friday’s murder acquittal was a big weight off paralympian Oscar Pistorius’s shoulders.
After being found guilty of culpable homicide, Oscar’s uncle Arnold said the family was grateful to Judge Thokozile Masipa for acquitting him of murder.
“We always knew the facts of the matter and never doubted Oscar’s version of this tragic incident,” Arnold said.
But he admitted that both his family and the Steenkamps’ lives had been changed forever by the case. “There are no victors in this. We as a family remain deeply affected by this devastating and tragic event and it won’t bring Reeva back, but our hearts go out to her family and friends,” he said.
Arnold said it would be inappropriate to comment more on the case because it was still ongoing.
Sentencing procedures will commence on October 13.
The ANC Women’s League, who have been supporting Reeva’s mother June from when the beginning of the case, said they were saddened by the outcome.
The league’s spokeswoman Jacqui Mofokeng said: “We think that this is a miscarriage of (justice). We respect the rule of law but you can imagine what women of this country are going to be going through. We are actually very, very worried that if judgments like these can come every now and then, women are not safe in the country.”
She said they were eagerly awaiting sentencing.
Mofokeng said the Steenkamp family were not taking the judgement well. “They are not happy. Their daughter is no more. It is a difficult time for them and that is why we allow them space.”
The Steenkamps did not comment to the media.
Outside the North Gauteng High Court, members of the public were also divided on the outcome of the five-month long case.
Grace Mohale said: “It is unfair how Oscar has been treated. His case has been on a 24-hour news channel while real cases were ignored.
“There are people killing our children and they do not get coverage. It is good that he has been acquitted.”
Pretoria News Weekend