Pistorius family taking strain

2013-02-21 08:20

Oscar Pistorius's sister Aimee, brother Carl and father Henke, are seen in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on the second day of his bail hearing. (Themba Hadebe, AP)

Pretoria - The family of arrested athlete Oscar Pistorius appear to be taking strain as his bail hearing continues in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.

Beeld reported that the athlete’s sister, Aimee Pistorius, left the court room quickly after proceedings were halted on Wednesday afternoon, her pale face hidden behind sunglasses, with her head held low and her arms protectively folded around her body.

Her older brother, Carl, was right behind her. A video showed how he was hounded by the media after leaving court on Tuesday.

The tension could also be seen on the face of Pistorius’s father, Henke.

Oscar Pistorius looked tired and drawn on Wednesday but appeared less fazed by the media frenzy in court.

He fought back tears on several occasions during proceedings and was seen to be biting on his teeth. He appeared to be trying to hold back tears but his shoulders were shaking with suppressed sobs.

He cried at times, was mumbling and his breathing was loud and laboured.

He seemed more in control of himself once he started making notes.

- See News24's Pistorius Special Report.