Vengeance, pain, heartache and brokenness. All of that must end, and it must end now. It must stop with this trial.
This is the heartfelt plea by June Steenkamp, whose daughter Reeva was shot dead by Oscar Pistorius on Valentine’s Day last year in his Pretoria home.
Reading out her detailed sentence, Masipa criticised the defence team’s witnesses who testified in mitigation of sentence. They had recommended that, because of Pistorius’s disabilities, three years’ correctional supervision, 16 hours’ community service and house arrest were appropriate. “There is no reason to believe Pistorius would present the department with insurmountable challenges. We cannot create the impression of having one law for the rich and famous and another for the poor. Nothing I say today can reverse the loss of life, and while a long sentence lacks elements of mercy, the circumstances and degree of negligence are so serious that a suspended sentence, which would cause distrust in the justice system, would be inappropriate.”
Zebulon Monama, Kgosi Mampuru II prison’s area commissioner, said that within seven months Pistorius would be prepared for release. “Yes, he has to serve 10 months but well before that he’s prepared for release.”
Pistorius’s conviction, sentence and now potential early release have left the National Prosecuting Authority fuming.
NPA spokesman Nathi Mncube said while satisfied with the prosecution team’s work, the NPA was unhappy with the culpable homicide conviction. “We’ve noted the sentence but haven’t made up our minds whether we will appeal yet.”
The possibility of the state appealing, which must be done within 14 days, was announced as Pistorius’s uncle, Arnold Pistorius, slammed the prosecutors.
“One of the most distressing parts of this trial is how the truth became totally irrelevant in the state’s attempts to make the premeditated murder charge stick.”
He said Pistorius would embrace the opportunity to pay back to society.
Let the heartache be over
This is the heartfelt plea by June Steenkamp, whose daughter Reeva was shot dead by Oscar Pistorius on Valentine’s Day last year in his Pretoria home.
Reading out her detailed sentence, Masipa criticised the defence team’s witnesses who testified in mitigation of sentence. They had recommended that, because of Pistorius’s disabilities, three years’ correctional supervision, 16 hours’ community service and house arrest were appropriate. “There is no reason to believe Pistorius would present the department with insurmountable challenges. We cannot create the impression of having one law for the rich and famous and another for the poor. Nothing I say today can reverse the loss of life, and while a long sentence lacks elements of mercy, the circumstances and degree of negligence are so serious that a suspended sentence, which would cause distrust in the justice system, would be inappropriate.”
Zebulon Monama, Kgosi Mampuru II prison’s area commissioner, said that within seven months Pistorius would be prepared for release. “Yes, he has to serve 10 months but well before that he’s prepared for release.”
Pistorius’s conviction, sentence and now potential early release have left the National Prosecuting Authority fuming.
NPA spokesman Nathi Mncube said while satisfied with the prosecution team’s work, the NPA was unhappy with the culpable homicide conviction. “We’ve noted the sentence but haven’t made up our minds whether we will appeal yet.”
The possibility of the state appealing, which must be done within 14 days, was announced as Pistorius’s uncle, Arnold Pistorius, slammed the prosecutors.
“One of the most distressing parts of this trial is how the truth became totally irrelevant in the state’s attempts to make the premeditated murder charge stick.”
He said Pistorius would embrace the opportunity to pay back to society.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos