‘I would like to talk to Oscar‚’ Reeva’s father tells court
Reeva Steenkamp’s father Barry has not discounted the possibility of talking to his daughter’s murderer‚ Oscar Pistorius‚ in future.
Testifiying before the High Court in Pretoria for the sentencing of Pistorius for a murder conviction‚ Steenkamp‚ 73‚ said it was difficult for him to forgive the Paralympian as his wife June‚ had done.
Barry Roux‚ advocate for Pistorius‚ said: “We are sorry. Whatever we say won’t bring your daughter back.”
Roux told Barry Steenkamp that Pistorius had made efforts to talk to Reeva’s family‚ without success.
“Maybe the time will come. I would like to talk to him‚ yes‚” Barry Steenkamp said.
Pistorius was initially convicted of culpable homicide in 2014 for the killing of Steenkamp in 2013. He served one year of his five-year prison term before being released on parole last year
However‚ the Supreme Court of Appeal set aside the culpable homicide conviction and replaced it with the murder conviction.
Earlier‚ Barry Steenkamp said: “It has been difficult for me to forgive. I feel Oscar has to pay for what he did.”
He said that although his wife June had forgiven Pistorius‚ this did does not mean that Pistorius was being exonerated for the crime he had committed.
However‚ Barry Steenkamp said it was up to the courts to decide on the sentence‚ which they would accept.
When asked whether he still thought of Reeva‚ Barry Steenkamp said: “My lady everyday‚ everyday of my life‚ morning‚ noon‚ night‚ every hour of the day.”
Steenkamp said he could not give evidence during the trial.
“I took a bad turn and was advised by my doctor not to travel to Pretoria.”
Steenkamp‚ who is 73‚ said that on the day of his daughter’s murder‚ he received a call from his wife who asked him to come home immediately.
“I could not really understand what she was upset about. At first‚ I thought one of our animals was killed.”
Barry said although he did not know that his daughter was in a rocky relationship with Pistorius‚ he “personally” thought there had been an argument between them.
“There must have been so much fear and pain.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital