Post date: Feb 16, 2013 1:20:17 PM
South Africans in Johannesburg reflect on the image of 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius, a national hero who was charged on Friday with shooting dead his girlfriend in hisPretoria home.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (FEBRUARY 16, 2013) (REUTERS) - South Africans in Johannesburg on Saturday (February 16) were reflecting on the changing image of their hero 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius.
The 26-year-old Olympic and Paralympic superstar appeared in court on Friday (February 15) to hear the charge that he had murdered his girlfriend, model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp.The case has stunned a nation that revered 'the fastest man on no legs' as a hero who managed to compete at the highest levels of sport despite being born without a fibula in either leg.
Prosecutors told the Pretoria court the shooting of 30-year-old Steenkamp in the early hours of Thursday (February 14) was pre-meditated.
Pistorius did not enter a plea but a statement issued by his family and London-based agent on Friday said the charge was disputed "in the strongest possible terms".
"He (Pistorius) has made it very clear that he would like to send his deepest sympathies to the family of Reeva," the statement said, in the first message attributed to him since his arrest.
Pistorius faces life in prison if found guilty.
People who spoke to Reuters on the streets of Johannesburg appeared to spare little sympathy for him, in the light of the fate of Steenkamp.
"I know there is a lot of speculation as to whether he did it on purpose or not but it's his word against the state's and I think that even if he did not do it on purpose, it's not going to bring his girlfriend back to life. So her family has experienced that loss. So he should still pay for what he has done," said Johannesburg resident Kaylie Calcott.
Another resident shared the same sentiment.
"Murder is a murder. He has to face the full might of the law or he is going to defend himself," said Chris Baloyi.
South Africa has some of the world's highest rates of violent crime, and many home owners have weapons to defend themselves against intruders.
Pistorius' housing estate in Pretoria is surrounded by a three-metre high wall and an electric fence.
The runner's trial continues.