Pistorius holds memorial service for Reeva Steenkamp

By MARGARET NEIGHBOUR
Published on 26/02/2013 23:57

OSCAR Pistorius was set to be holding a personal memorial service for Reeva Steenkamp, the 29-year-old model he shot at his home.

The service was to be at the Pretoria home of his uncle Arnold, where the Olympic and Paralympic athlete has been staying since he was released on bail awaiting trial on a premeditated murder charge.

A representative of Pistorius said he had specifically requested the service “as he remains in deep mourning for the loss of his partner Reeva”, whom he says he shot by accident assuming an intruder had entered his home on 14 February.

“Oscar has asked for a private service with people who share his loss, including his family members who knew and loved Reeva as one of their own,” said a spokesman for Vuma Reputation Management.

A week ago, a memorial service was held for Ms Steenkamp in Port Elizabeth, where her body was cremated following a private service. That same day, the bail hearing for Pistorius started in Pretoria.

Prosecutors say the pair had an argument before Ms Steenkamp was killed. Vuma said Pistorius “continues to grieve” for her.

Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair set bail for Pistorius at a million rand (£75,000).

Mr Nair himself was in mourning. He confirmed that he is the cousin of a woman suspected of killing her two children and taking her own life at the weekend. The bodies of a woman and her two sons, aged 12 and seven, were found at their Johannesburg home by her ex-husband.