Oscar’s sentence increased
OSCAR’S SENTENCE DOUBLED: VICTIM’S PARENTS FEEL JUSTICE HAS BEEN DONE
NEWS PAGE 5
But they feel for the Pistorius family because they realise two families have been destroyed.
Barry and June Steenkamp feel justice has been done after the Appeal Court yesterday more than doubled Oscar Pistorius’ sentence, but said one could never really find closure after losing a loved one.
A day after the former Olympic athlete turned 31, the SCA unanimously increased his sentence for the Valentine’s Day 2013 murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp from six years to 13 years and five months imprisonment.
This means that Pistorius could be a middle-aged man by the time he is released on parole.
Reeva, pictured, died after Pistorius fired four shots with his 9mm pistol – loaded with ammunition which mushroomed on impact – into the toilet door behind which she was standing, believing there was an intruder. He admitted never firing a warning shot.
Judge Willie Seriti said it was difficult to accept that Pistorius, who was trained in handling firearms, was genuinely remorseful as he failed to explain why he had fired the fatal shots. His attempts to apologise to Reeva’s parents did not demonstrate genuine remorse and it was clear that Pistorius was unable to appreciate the crime he had committed, he said.
He found that the six-year sentenced Judge Thokozile Masipa imposed on Pistorius in July last year was so shockingly lenient it had the effect of trivialising the serious offence. Pistorius was initially sentenced to five years for culpable homicide, but re-sentenced to six years after the SCA found him guilty of murder.
Judge Seriti said the case deserved the imposition of a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, but Pistorius should receive credit for the time he had already spent in jail and under correctional supervision.
Reeva’s parents said through their legal representative, Tania Koen, their belief in the justice system had been confirmed and that Reeva could now finally rest in peace.
They could now focus all their energy on the Reeva Steenkamp Foundation, which they founded to continue the work Reeva started to help women and children who were victims of abuse. The Steenkamps felt there would never be closure as their daughter could not come back, but said they were relieved that this chapter had been closed and the healing could start. “They can’t say they’re satisfied ... They feel for the Pistorius family and Pistorius because they are not vindictive people. They realise two families have been destroyed, but they believe justice had been done.” Koen said June and Barry’s heart went out to Jayde Panayiotou’s parents, Derrick and Michelle Inggs, and their other daughter Toni. Jayde’s husband, Christopher, was yesterday sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder. “Jade was from Reeva’s hometown,” Koen said.
Reacting to his brother’s increased sentence, Pistorius’ brother Carl tweeted: “Shattered. Heartbroken. Gutted.”
When a social media user responded saying “the same feelings that Reeva’s family are feeling I’m sure” he replied, “We have all suffered incomprehensible loss. The death of Reeva was and still is a great loss for our family too.”
NPA spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku said the prosecuting authority firmly believed the sentenced was in the interests of the proper administration of justice and hoped Reeva’s family would find closure.