AGGRAVATING AND SENTENCING OF OSCAR PISTORIUS

Judge Masipa and her assessors 

Seven months of trial and tribulations ended yesterday at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.  Athlete sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and 3 years suspended sentence on separate gun charges for 5 years. Gerrie Nel, State Adv. played all well for what was worth...''the could be nothing else as a parent sitting at home to hear that your child died a violent death'', said Nel.

Ubuntu and restoration came out to play when the Defence side appealed to judge Thokozile Masipa's sympathy during the argument of mitigation.  Whereas, the State failed to prove the intention to kill against the accuse, but manage to use Kim Martins(deceased cousin) as Reeva's voice.  The court, people at the gallery and viewers abroad were given a glimpse of Reeva's Life(upbringing, childhood and journey to stardom) for the first time since the trial started.

Oscar Pistorius

''The present case is so serious that a suspended sentence would not be appropriate in my view'', said judge Masipa.  

On September 12, judge Masipa found Pistorius guilty of Culpable Homicide. Yesterday, the twenty-seven year old will serve his sentence at Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria.  ''The sentences to run concurrently'', added Masipa Though it's a 5 year maximum sentencing, Pistorius could be out after serving just 10 months in prison.

Arnold Pistorius(Oscar's uncle)says family accepts sentence.  While the Steenkamp is satisfied with the sentencing.  Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority[NPA]may appeal the case within 14 working days.  And the IPC(International Paralympic Committee) banned Pistorius for 5 years from competing in the Olympic Games.  He will be able to compete in 2020 Olympics.

Nelly Portia