Pretoria - Murder-accused Oscar Pistorius was greeted by a few supporters as he walked into the High Court in Pretoria for the resumption of his trial on Monday.
“We love you Oscar,” a young woman shouted as the Paralympic athlete walked the gauntlet of photographers, cameramen, and police officers.
Ferdinand Eichstadt said he was at court to offer moral support.
“Whether he is guilty or not, that will be for the judge to decide. To us he is a hero,” he said.
Eichstadt had a large poster with pictures of Pistorius and the words: “Vote Oscar Pistorius our ambassador (in the) war against crime”.
A new defence witness, Johan Stander, was called on Monday.
The defence will attempt to prove its case that Pistorius thought his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was an intruder when he shot and killed her in his Pretoria townhouse in February 14 last year.
He is accused of murdering her. The State argues he did so during an argument. Pistorius shot four times through the locked door of his toilet, apparently thinking an intruder was about to emerge and attack him. Steenkamp, who was behind the door, was hit in the hip, arm, and head.
The trial began on March 3.
Pistorius is also charged with three alleged contraventions of the Firearms Control Act - one of illegal possession of ammunition, and two of discharging a firearm in public.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. - Sapa