The South African justice system is finding itself the subject of worldwide public scrutiny this morning following what many people are claiming was the unduly lenient six year prison sentence imposed on Oscar Pistorius for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
In a strange twist of fate, this means that Pistorius would be out of prison in time of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban, should he ever entertain the idea of competing again.
The sentencing was always going to be controversial whichever way it turned out but the term imposed, less than half of the mandatory minimum of 15 years, means that this saga won't stray very far from the headlines even after reaching what was supposed to be its conclusion.
The Pistorius murder trial had captivated the attention of South Africa as well as dominated headlines across the globe. Pistorius, who was one of the stars of the London Paralympics in 2012, had become a symbol for overcoming adversity after reaching the top of the sporting world despite having his legs amputated below the knee when he was a child.
His legacy will now be entirely remembered for something else.
Murder carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in South African courts but in her statement to the court this morning, Judge Masipa argued that Pistorius would be vulnerable in prison due to his disability and that he had expressed remorse.
It is highly likely that the prosecution will appeal the sentencing.
Am hearing prosecution likely to appeal against 6yr sentence for Pistorius...they believe it's farcically below the 15yr min for murder
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) July 6, 2016
Twitter has been reacting to the news of Pistorius' sentence and it would appear that the the Paralympian will have a far tougher time convincing the court of public opinion that his sentencing was fair.
Fuck me. I'm surprised she didn't describe him as a vision of elegance, fragrance and radiance. #OscarPistorious pic.twitter.com/kagJsq4k6B
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) July 6, 2016
'Fallen hero'?
Try 'angry, gun-toting maniac'.
Judge behaved like a fan-girl & sentenced accordingly.
Disgusting. #pistorius— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 6, 2016
In 2014 Oscar got 5 years for culpable homicide, and now 6 years for murder, how is that fair? 😡 #OscarPistorius pic.twitter.com/bRhVmOxkHa
— Social South Africa (@SocialSA_) July 6, 2016
I'm pretty sure the world is LOLing real hard at our justice system today. #OscarPistorius #OscarSentencing
— Mr. Buns (@MapsMaponyane) July 6, 2016
While we're usually treated to more light hearted nuggets from walking twitter video that is Chris Kamara, his response to today's sentencing was rather more severe.
What an absolute joke!!! I feel so sad & sorry for the Steenkamps pic.twitter.com/iaxmgDldJr
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) July 6, 2016
(1)he shared the same bed (2)he didn't ask if it was her in the toilet&(3) your first priority is your partners safety before anything else
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) July 6, 2016
