/ 23 February 2013

Steenkamp’s father: Pistorius must live with his conscience

Steenkamp's Father: Pistorius Must Live With His Conscience

Athlete Oscar Pistorius has to live with his conscience after his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead, Steenkamp's father said in Beeld on Saturday.

"It doesn't matter how much money he has and how good his legal team is, he will have to live with his conscience if he allows his legal team to lie for him," Barry Steenkamp told the newspaper.

"But if he is telling the truth then perhaps I can forgive him one day.

"If it didn't happen the way he said it did, he must suffer, and he wil suffer… only he knows."

Pistorius is out on bail after he was charged with the murder of Reeva in his home on February 14.

Pistorius has denied murdering her, saying he thought there was an intruder in his home.

Her mother June Steenkamp said she was "cried empty" and wanted to finish grieving for her daughter, and get used to not having her in her life.

According to the report, the family had received a bouquet and a card from the Pistorius family.

"Yes, but what does it mean?" asked June.

"But also, his sister Aimee, did nothing wrong, and also his parents…they must be shattered. They are not to blame," she said.

The family hopes to eventually establish a trust fund in their daughter's memory to provide assistance to abused women. – Sapa