Confidence in Nel at appeal over Oscar’s conviction
PRETORIA: A solemn June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva, hugged prosecutor Gerrie Nel minutes after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein reserved judgment on whether Oscar Pistorius’s conviction for culpable homicide had to be overturned and replaced with a conviction for murder.
Steenkamp, flanked by ANC Women’s League spokeswoman Jacqui Mofokeng, took the front row in the public gallery, listening to the legal arguments presented, which took less than three hours to conclude.
Steenkamp said she was there to show her support to Nel. She did not speak to the large media contingent after attempts to get her attention as she left the building as soon as the proceedings were concluded yesterday.
Mofokeng, however, said that while it was difficult for Steenkamp to listen to an academic debate regarding the circumstances under which Reeva died, she was strong. “She thanked Gerrie (Nel) for being so well prepared. June is certain that justice will prevail.”
Mofokeng was full of praise for the SCA judiciary, saying practical questions which were on everyone’s mind during Pistorius’s trial last year came to the fore. “The judges asked the questions which we were asking ourselves, things such as why the judge never discussed the evidence of police expert Chris Mangena, who, during the trial, explained the sequence of shots on the toilet door.”
Mofokeng said they were confident in the case presented by the State yesterday. “We know that justice will prevail,” she said. A group of ANC Women’s
League members sang and danced outside the court building as there were no seats for them inside.
One of the members, Kgosi Mogapi, said they were there to support June, as they were mothers themselves. “We do not want Pistorius to get away with this. We want him to go to jail for a very long time because he took someone’s life.”
Only a few members of the public were allowed inside the court. Pensioner Florina Sefotlhelo said: “I wanted to come and see for myself what was happening. I trust justice will prevail, as I believe Pistorius is guilty of murder.”
The only support for Pistorius yesterday seemed to come from a lone figure, with a placard reading: “Hands off Oscar Pistorius. Give him a break.”
Tokela Africa, who said he was a member of the SA Prisons Unemployment Political Party, said Pistorius was an icon who did a lot for the country.
Although seats were reserved for members of the Pistorius family, they did not attend. Spokesperson Anneliese Burgess said the family wanted the process to run its course.