The parents of the victim had undoubtedly expected a sterner sentencing, with Barry Steenkamp, Reeva Steenkamp’s father insisting Pistorius should pay for his crime.
According to them, the pair had been embroiled in an argument before the fatal shooting took place, pointing to deeper problems that plagued their relationship.
Judge Thokozile Masipa who was presiding over the case however was keen not to be swayed by any public opinion and she took her time to make the monumental decision, “Public opinion may be loud and persistent but it can play no role in the decision of this court,” She said.
The minimum requirement for a murder sentence in South Africa is 15 years, but she was keen to highlight the grounds of mercy that played an important role, Pistorius’ disability, and the tumultuous months that have passed being part of this.
The decision has been met with criticism from various people, not only in South Africa, but all over the world, as some people believe he has been given preferential treatment and not the normal stern sentence required.
The case has been handled extensively and with detailed attention, given that the first verdict given on September 2014 was appealed in November the same year, after the case had commenced five months earlier.
He had been found guilty of culpable homicide, and had been sentenced to five years in prison and a concurrent three-year suspended prison sentence for the separate reckless endangerment conviction, beginning 21st October of 2014.
This however was transferred to a house arrest, and later the culpable homicide verdict was replaced by a murder conviction, and the case was referred back to the court for a sentencing hearing.
Now that the saga is over, the sports world faces the prospect of cheering their favorite roaster of superstar athletes at the Rio Olympics in August this year, without the embattled Oscar Pistorius.
Oscar Pistorius is known all over the world for his heroics, given that he had his legs amputated while still young and he was running on prosthetic blades in major athletic events.
He was the first athlete to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympics games. In the 2008 summer Paralympics games, he set the stage ablaze with his heroics, as he scooped 3 gold medals, in the 100 metre, 200 metre and 400 metre sprints.
He became the first amputee runner at the 2012 Olympics held in London, England, where he participated in the 400 metre race and the 400 metre relay race.
His stock had risen to dizzying heights in Africa and the whole world, when the incident happened in his home in 14th February 2013, citing that he didn’t shoot Reeva Steenkamp intentionally, instead he thought it was a burglar who had infiltrated his house that night.
The sentencing is bound to draw a lot of criticism and though few will agree with the decision, some will be happy that justice has had its course.
