South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been
given five years in jail for killing his girlfriend
Reeva Steenkamp. In court in Pretoria, Judge Thokozile Masipa also gave Pistorius a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge. Pistorius has now been taken to the cells. Prosecutors had called for a minimum 10-year term, and the defence argued for community service and house arrest.
Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder. 'Feeling of unease' Defence lawyer Barry Roux said his client was expected to serve 10 months in prison, with the rest under house arrest. The BBC's Andrew Harding, in court, says the parents of Reeva Steenkamp, Barry and June, tell him they are happy with the sentence and relieved the case is over.
Reacting to the sentence, Dup De Bruyn, a lawyer for
the Steenkamp family, told Reuters that "justice was
served". Judge Masipa had begun reading the sentence by saying that, although she had been aided by assessors, the decision was hers and hers alone. She said: "Sentencing is about achieving the right balance. Sentencing is not a perfect exercise."
She said there must be a balance between
retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation. The judge then summarised the evidence brought
before the trial. She described the evidence of defence witness and social worker Annette Vergeer as "slapdash and disappointing". Ms Vergeer had argued Pistorius would be "a lot more vulnerable than the normal man" in jail. But Judge Masipa said she was sure prisons were equipped to cater for the requirements of a special needs inmate.
His family is not planning to appeal. He will serve a minimum of 8 months, after that, he'll probably be sent home to serve the remainder of his
sentence under strict supervision controls. This will be up to SA Correction Services. What do you guys think of this sentence? Too light,
severe or appropriate?
Source: www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29700457

I believe justice is served, nothing can bring back the dead. RIP Reeva

If all those teary eyed moments during trial was fake then it is too light.

Is the judiciary system in Africa corrupt... Only God knows the truth but I was surprised that Oscar's Ex still made an accusation of him once threatening her with a gun.

5 years too small