Strong opinions over Reeva’s pictures

MIXED feelings and strong opinions dominated online debates – locally and internationally – about the High Court ruling that images of a dead Reeva Steenkamp could be published.

The debate began on Wednesday afternoon after Judge Thokozile Masipa granted Barry Steenkamp his wish that the world be allowed to see what his daughter looked like after Oscar Pistorius killed her.

Some reacted in horror at the thought of seeing the pictures. “Once you see a real dead body that can never be unseen,” Bianca Vieira wrote on Facebook.

Madimetja Shadung, on the other hand, said: “Her parent said yes; who are we to say no?”

Others said the pictures should not be shown out of respect for the young woman. “It’s not because I feel sorry for Oscar, but I respect Reeva,” Tholelomthwakazi kaMajija said.

Ellen Mekwa said since Pistorius showed his vulnerability by walking on his stumps in court, then so should Reeva’s bruised body be revealed. “I would also want to see what he reduced Reeva to,” she said.

Publicising the images was distasteful and would cause more heartache, said Chantal Davies. “Reeva should be allowed to rest in peace.”

Some claimed to have seen the pictures online.

“You can see he beat her up; she had bruised eyes and bloodied nose,” Ursula Lorraine said.

Nicolette Gouts said the pictures proved nothing beyond what had already been said in court. “This is sensationalism and must not be encouraged.”

The debate was not only confined to South Africans. People around the world have been watching the case.

Mandy Lawton wrote: “It’s funny he wanted to race as an able-bodied person in the last Olympics but plays the disabled card when it suits him,” and Mashudu Ramudzuli said: “Barry Roux opened a can of worms after letting Oscar walk in court without his prostheses and we felt pity for him. Now let us see what pain Reeva has gone through.”

Anne Gotzhein wrote on Facebook: “It is vital that the images of Reeva Steenkamp be released. During the trial the defence lawyer played on the vulnerability of Pistorius with his disability. This process has been repeated this week.

“Both the family and the prosecution have asked for the pictures to be released knowing how important it will be for Reeva’s vulnerability to be shown.

“Maybe there will be sympathy for the real victim in this whole terrible event.”