Reeva Steenkamp's family and friends 'disappointed' by verdict
After Oscar Pistorius is cleared of murder, his family says there are 'no victors' in such a tragic scenario
![Reeva Steenkamp](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DputdyBB4dRxrwPksrTEbe-415-80.jpg)
Family and friends of Reeva Steenkamp broke down in tears today as Judge Thokozile Masipa confirmed that Oscar Pistorius was guilty of culpable homicide but not of murder.
For much of the six-month trial, Reeva's mother June has revealed little emotion as she listened to the dramatic story of her daughter's death retold in court.
Today she remained stoic, although was seen shaking her head and comforting another family member who was visibly upset (pictured below), reports The Guardian's David Smith from the courtroom.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-768-80.jpg 768w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-415-80.jpg 415w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-360-80.jpg 360w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg 320w)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Reeva's best friend Gina Myers, with whom she lived in Johannesburg, also broke down in tears during the hearing.
Reeva's father Barry (pictured below looking over at Pistorius) was in court today, despite spending much of the trial watching from home after suffering two strokes earlier this year. His brother Mike, who travelled from Cape Town to support him, told The Guardian that the family has had to constantly relive the night of Reeva's death.
"It doesn't go away," he said. "The experience is a daily occurrence. It's not something you sweep under the carpet and it's gone. It's up in your face all the time. As it goes on, flashes of Reeva keep coming back."
Two months ago, June Steenkamp said her religion had helped her to "forgive" Pistorius. "I trust that God will prevail and justice will be done. All we want is the truth," she told Hello! magazine.
The Steenkamp family is yet to give a statement, but after Pistorius was acquitted of murder yesterday one of the victim's relatives told South African journalist Rebecca Davis: "Obviously we are very disappointed but are trying to stay strong."
South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority said it was also "disappointed" that it was not successful in securing a premeditated murder conviction. The prosecutors will wait until the case is concluded before deciding whether or not to take any further legal steps, such as an appeal.
Pistorius's uncle Arnold made a statement in court today, saying there were "no victors" in such a tragic event. "We, as a family, remain deeply affected by the devastating tragedy," he said, adding that they were "deeply grateful" to Judge Masipa for finding Pistorius not guilty of murder.
Meanwhile, the International Paralympic Committee has said Pistorius will be allowed to compete in future sporting events.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/33xsreomaw1692698888.png)
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
Today's political cartoons - December 2, 2023
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - governors go Gotham, A.I. goes to the office party, and more
By The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: December 2, 2023
Daily Briefing Death toll climbs in Gaza as airstrikes intensify, George Santos expelled from the House of Representatives, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the George Santos expulsion vote
Cartoons Artists take on Santa versus Santos, his X account, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Oscar Pistorius: what his life will be like after prison
Why everyone's talking about Former sprinter granted parole a decade after killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
Death of first non-binary judge in Mexico instils fear in LGBTQ+ community
Under the Radar Jesús Ociel Baena's suspected murder reveals dangers to transgender and non-binary people
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Lukoil: third top executive dies suddenly at company that criticised Putin's war
Speed Read The oil giant said its chairman Vladimir Nekrasov died of 'acute heart failure'
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Belgian police shoot dead man in search for Brussels terror suspect
Speed Read The man is suspected of killing two Swedish nationals and wounding another in shooting spree
By The Week Staff Published
-
Gangs, guns and bombs: Sweden's 'crisis of violence'
Why Everyone's Talking About Surge in bomb attacks and gun violence has led government to call on military support
By The Week Staff Published
-
Dodgy cash disguised as sandwiches
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Argentinian police arrest biggest online distributor of Nazi propaganda
Speed Reads Officials seized hundreds of texts glorifying Adolf Hitler, denying Holocaust and bearing swastikas
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
How North Korean hackers stole billions in crypto
Speed Read Pyongyang-backed cyber gangs use ‘mixers’ to launder their criminal proceeds
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published