Reeva Steenkamps parents rejected as blood money a lump sum of £21,000 offered by #OscarPistorius for their pain and suffering, a court heard yesterday. Barry and June Steenkamp also vowed to return every cent of monthly payments totalling £6,000 that their daughter Reevas killer has been depositing into an account since her death. A probation officer hired by Pistorius legal team had earlier told the court the athletes financial gesture had been an indication of his grave remorse for taking Reeva Steenkamps life. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the lump sum payment, raised by the sale of the killers car, had been immediately rejected by the family, with Mrs Steenkamp insisting she did not want blood money. Mr Nel said the couple would also not proceed with any civil action against the track star. Dup De Bruyn, a lawyer for the Steenkamps, later claimed his clients had received R6,000 (£340) a month for the last 18 months. He said the payments had now stopped and the money would be repaid. Mr De Bruyn said he approached Pistorius legal team in the weeks after the models death to explain that her family were struggling financially because Miss Steenkamp regularly sent money to her cash-strapped parents. I conveyed this to Oscar Pistorius lawyers, Mr De Bruyn told journalists, adding that the track star began providing monthly support - a fact he was keen to keep private. The lawyer said Mr and Mrs Steenkamp were now in a position to repay the money - a total of £6,200. The Steenkamps dont want any money and there will be no civil case, they want closure, Mr De Bruyn said. Outside court, lawyers for Pistorius said the explanation given by Mr and Mrs Steenkamps lawyer regarding events of payment is not accurate. A further clarification will be given to the court on Wednesday, they added.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 00:39:40 +0000
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