Share

Oscar in extreme shock, uncle says

Johannesburg - Murder-accused Paralympian Oscar Pistorius only started eating on Tuesday night, said his uncle Arnold.

"He only started to eat last night," he told eNews Channel Africa on Wednesday.

"Carl and Aimee [Pistorius' brother and sister] tell me they sit with him and he spends a lot of time reading, especially reading the Bible, as his mother taught him."

Pistorius has been under arrest since his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead in his Pretoria home in the early hours of Thursday last week.

He has been charged with murder, and his bail application is underway in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.

Arnold said this had been a tough time for the family, but they stood behind the athlete all the way.

He voiced concern over what he described as his nephew's "public trial".

"The case is [on]going and you can judge for yourself... the truth will prevail," he said.

In the TV interview, Arnold said the Pistorius family has been in contact with the Steenkamps but respected their privacy and loss.

Asked about allegations that Pistorius had a history of violence, he described Pistorius as a "peacemaker".

Pistorius was in extreme shock and was grieving in this "emotionally tough time" said his uncle.

"The world will see a different Oscar; nobody can be the same ever again if such a tragedy comes over your life, but he will bounce back and be greater than ever."

Steenkamp was cremated at a private ceremony in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed. 
Subscribe to News24
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Who do you think should lead the Democratic Alliance after the party’s upcoming national congress in April?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
John Steenhuisen for sure, he’s got the experience
64% - 1264 votes
Mpho Phalatse, the DA needs a fresh outlook
36% - 721 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.17
-0.5%
Rand - Pound
22.22
+0.0%
Rand - Euro
19.59
-0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.09
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.14
+0.0%
Platinum
976.84
-0.8%
Palladium
1,415.66
0.0%
Gold
1,978.67
0.0%
Silver
23.23
0.0%
Brent Crude
74.99
-1.2%
Top 40
69,181
-1.3%
All Share
74,695
-1.2%
Resource 10
64,294
-1.4%
Industrial 25
101,619
-1.0%
Financial 15
15,178
-1.6%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE