South African media reacts to Pistorius verdict
13 September 2014 14:12
South Africa's media reacted with dismay to the Oscar
Pistorius culpable homicide verdict handed down on
Friday.
Pistorius faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years
as a result of being found guilty by Judge Thokozile
Masipa after the Olympic and Paralympic sprinter shot
girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead at his home on
February 14 2013.
The 27-year-old was also found guilty of a firearms
charge, which carries a maximum sentence of five years
in prison.
It is a trial that has hit the headlines around the world,
especially in Pistorius' home county of South Africa.
"Oscar dodges bullet" read the headline in The Times
newspaper in Johannesburg following this week's
developments as Judge Masipa ruled out two murder
charges during Thursday's proceedings.
It was a typical, if provocative, reaction echoed by most
of the media in the country, with The Pretoria News
leading with "Oscar's great escape".
Several South African newspapers, amongst them the
Cape Argus, Cape Times and The New Age, chose to
publish a particularly unflattering picture of an
emotional Pistorius in court.
The Citizen newspaper was blunt in its assessment,
simply saying on its front page "Jail him!" and The
Independent on Saturday chose to run with a quote
given by Steenkamp's mother June shortly after court
adjourned on Friday that said: "It's not right."
Pistorius was charged with the "wilful and intentional
murder" of Steenkamp. He denies the charge as he
claimed that he mistook her for an intruder after
hearing a noise in the bathroom of his home.
The South African has been convicted of culpable
homicide and his bail was extended on Friday as the
court proceedings were adjourned until October 13.