Steenkamp family welcomes financial help

2013-02-28 22:27

Reeva Steenkamp (Picture: AP)

Johannesburg - Murdered model Reeva Steenkamp's parents on Thursday evening thanked those who offered financial and other assistance, according to an e-mail sent by the family's lawyers.

"It is much appreciated," an e-mail from June and Barry Steenkamp's lawyers reads.

"However, that which still needs to be addressed concerns all issues surrounding the administration of such funds. This is obviously receiving our urgent attention."

The lawyer said media interest in Reeva had intensified over the last week.

"To respond to each and every enquiry is well-nigh impossible and it cannot be expected of Reeva’s parents to be interviewed by every single representative of the media who has addressed us with a request for such interviews and information.

"In the circumstances we have adopted a strategy which we believe to be in our client’s best interests, and on their instructions."

According to the statement, on which Advocate PJ de Bruyn would not elaborate, Steenkamp’s story would receive "extensive publication" without burdening her family with repeated requests for interviews and information.

"As such Mr and Mrs Steenkamp and ourselves will no longer entertain any further requests of the nature as have presently been directed to us all."

Paralympian Oscar Pistorius stands accused of murdering Steenkamp in his Pretoria home on Valentine's Day.

In an affidavit submitted as part of his bail application, Pistorius said he thought he was shooting at an intruder, through a closed bathroom door.

He was granted R1m bail and allowed to pay an initial instalment of R100 000, with the balance due by 1 March.

Steenkamp was cremated in a private ceremony in Port Elizabeth on 19 February.

Pistorius's next court appearance is on 4 June.

- SAPA