Steenkamp parents will not pursue Pistorius civil claim

The parents of Reeva Steenkamp say they will not pursue a civil claim against Oscar Pistorius for killing their daughter.

Barry and June Steenkamp said in a statement issued through their lawyer that they will also hand back monthly payments of $550 made to them by Pistorius from March last year to September this year.

The Steenkamps said they had decided in the past few weeks not to pursue a civil settlement from Pistorius after his criminal trial ends.

Revelations over payments to the Steenkamps by the Olympic runner were made during his sentencing hearing yesterday.

The chief prosecutor said the Steenkamps had refused another offer of $34,000 from Pistorius and considered it “blood money”.

Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide, or negligent killing, in Steenkamp’s shooting death.

The sentencing hearing will continue in Pretoria later this morning.

A social worker recommended against a prison sentence yesterday. Defence witness Annette Vergeer told the hearing that South African jails are violent and overcrowded, and that the double amputee would be under particular duress because of his disability and fragile mental state following the fatal shooting.

Ms Vergeer added that Pistorius, who was found guilty of culpable homicide over the model’s death last month, has the potential to be a productive member of society again.She said a sentence of house arrest that includes periods of work at a school for disabled children would be more appropriate.

Prison “will not assist him, but will break him as a person,” she said.

Ms Vergeer added: “The exposure of the accused on his stumps to inmates will have a severe effect on him.”

Agencies