On the wee hours of Thursday morning, Valentine’s day, Oscar Pistorius was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. She was found dead in Oscar’s Pretoria home with four gunshot wounds- two to the head and two to the upper body. Oscar and his legal team claimed it was not premeditated murder; he supposedly mistook Steekamp for an intruder and shot out of self defense. As much as I want to believe his side of the story is true, the facts just don’t add up. Pretoria is a very affluent neighborhood; it is a gated community with security guards always on the watch. And from the pictures I have seen, his house seems pretty secure. Even if he feared there was an intruder, how did he manage to shoot her four times without noticing her voice or figure? Why did he have a gun casually in his bathroom? Pistorius’s case is very similar to that of American footballer O.J Simpson who allegedly shot his wife dead . Is Pistorius going to become the African O.J Simpson? Even if he is found guilty, without the ‘proper evidence’, he will most likely be set free. National heroes (especially in Africa) aren't as easily prosecuted.
Oscar Pistorius is a household name to many South Africans, and Africans alike. Dobbed as the “blade runner”, this endearing young man made world history last summer by becoming the first double amputee to run track in the Olympic Games. Oscar Pistorius was born without a fibula, making him an amputee before the tender age of one. Even though He went through rough times, Oscar never let his situation define him. He rejected pity and rose against all odds, making himself a worldwide known Paralympics star.
How this man who serves as an inspiration to many ended up in such a situation is beyond me. Just last year, I was in awe of his courage and determination. I drew inspiration from him, and now this? His trial was moved to next Tuesday, I guess all we can do now is watch, and hope that he doesn't become the African O.J Simpson.
- Jasmine Mbadugha
For more info, read : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21475873
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