Steenkamps satisfied with Oscar’s sentence

Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in jail for the culpable homicide of Reeva Steenkamp. Photo: Herman Verwey

Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in jail for the culpable homicide of Reeva Steenkamp. Photo: Herman Verwey

Published Oct 21, 2014

Share

Pretoria - The family of slain model Reeva Steenkamp on Tuesday welcomed the sentencing of her killer Oscar Pistorius to up to five years in jail.

Steenkamp's ailing father Barry said he was “very glad” the seven-month trial was over. A lawyer for the family said the sentence was “welcome”.

The Steenkamps' lawyer, Dup de Bruyn, said that the sentence Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down would likely be served as two years in prison and three years under house arrest.

“In effect he gets three years' correctional supervision and two years' direct imprisonment,” said De Bruyn, after the sentencing hearing ended.

De Bruyn said that Steenkamp's parents were satisfied with the decision.

“They feel it's right,” he said.

Visibly relieved, Steenkamp's mother June turned to a family friend, Gina Myers, to thank her for her steadfast support throughout the trial before leaving the courtroom.

Meanwhile the ANC Womens League said that Pistorius’s sentence signalled a sad day for women in South Africa.

“We are saddened by the judgment... we have never been happy with the conviction of culpable homicide, instead of murder,” ANC Womens League spokeswoman Jacqui Mofokeng said outside court.

“We call for the national prosecutions to appeal this sentence... and do it for our society.”

She said Pistorius could be out within 18 months.

“If he serves 18 months he could be out soon after that, while Reeva is not here... women are saddened by this.” - Sapa

Related Topics: