Pretoria – Once the re-sentencing of murder convict Oscar Pistorius began on Monday, the streets outside the High Court in Pretoria were deserted, this after placard-carrying supporters of the fallen athlete had earlier gathered in support of him.
Tokelo Afrika, who said he was with the South African Prisoners Unemployed Political Party, said Pistorius’s disability had not been taken into into account when his matter was reviewed by the Supreme Court of Appeal.
“We are not saying he is not guilty of killing someone, but he only did that because he believed there was an intruder in his house,” Africa told anyone who cared to listen.
Last year, the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned Pistorius’ culpable homicide conviction and instead convicted him of murder for shooting dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
On Monday, however, once court proceedings started, there was no visible activity outside the North Gauteng High Court.
Only local and foreign journalists remained gathered outside the court on Madiba Street, while a small contingent of police officers stood at the court entrance.
African News Agency