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| Oscar Pistorius: South Africa prepares for its own OJ-style trial of the century | Oscar Pistorius: South Africa prepares for its own OJ-style trial of the century |
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| The scene was set for pomp and pageantry, though, to be fair, it was not everyone's idea of riveting television. The opening of parliament in Cape Town, which always falls close to the anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release, is South Africa's day to stand on ceremony and hear the president's state of the nation address. | The scene was set for pomp and pageantry, though, to be fair, it was not everyone's idea of riveting television. The opening of parliament in Cape Town, which always falls close to the anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release, is South Africa's day to stand on ceremony and hear the president's state of the nation address. |
| Whatever president Jacob Zuma promised this year, few are likely to remember. The event had been utterly eclipsed by a drama unfolding almost 1,000 miles away in Pretoria. On Thursday morning South Africans learned that Oscar Pistorius, one of their greatest sporting exports, had allegedly shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a model and reality TV contestant. | Whatever president Jacob Zuma promised this year, few are likely to remember. The event had been utterly eclipsed by a drama unfolding almost 1,000 miles away in Pretoria. On Thursday morning South Africans learned that Oscar Pistorius, one of their greatest sporting exports, had allegedly shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a model and reality TV contestant. |
| In a country where front pages are usually dominated by strikes, corruption and power struggles, and debates about inequality and race, this was something different – and something photogenic. The glamorous celebrity couple were dubbed "South Africa's answer to Posh and Becks", albeit somewhat prematurely after only a few months of dating. | In a country where front pages are usually dominated by strikes, corruption and power struggles, and debates about inequality and race, this was something different – and something photogenic. The glamorous celebrity couple were dubbed "South Africa's answer to Posh and Becks", albeit somewhat prematurely after only a few months of dating. |
| Suddenly, veteran correspondents of Africa's wars found themselves trying to "doorstep" neighbours, chase police cars and track down former girlfriends. Pistorius – known as the Blade Runner because of his hi-tech artificial legs – denies murder, but in America the case is already being compared to that of OJ Simpson, setting the stage for one of the most sensational trials in South African history. | Suddenly, veteran correspondents of Africa's wars found themselves trying to "doorstep" neighbours, chase police cars and track down former girlfriends. Pistorius – known as the Blade Runner because of his hi-tech artificial legs – denies murder, but in America the case is already being compared to that of OJ Simpson, setting the stage for one of the most sensational trials in South African history. |
| This sudden, unexpected tragedy has been traumatising to an already fragile national psyche. It has provoked debate about the country's deep-rooted culture of violence, especially against women, and raised questions over whether Pistorius, white and wealthy, will be treated more favourably than the 160,000 inmates who endure incarceration in Africa's most overcrowded prison system. | This sudden, unexpected tragedy has been traumatising to an already fragile national psyche. It has provoked debate about the country's deep-rooted culture of violence, especially against women, and raised questions over whether Pistorius, white and wealthy, will be treated more favourably than the 160,000 inmates who endure incarceration in Africa's most overcrowded prison system. |
| Craig Freimond, a film director and writer, was about to give a reading to school pupils last Thursday when he heard the news: "A woman came in and said Oscar Pistorius has been arrested for shooting his girlfriend. I was just, like, 'No, no, that's impossible'. One of our greatest heroes shoots his girlfriend? It's seismic. I find it very upsetting. It's definitely triggering some kind of deep emotional response in South Africans." | Craig Freimond, a film director and writer, was about to give a reading to school pupils last Thursday when he heard the news: "A woman came in and said Oscar Pistorius has been arrested for shooting his girlfriend. I was just, like, 'No, no, that's impossible'. One of our greatest heroes shoots his girlfriend? It's seismic. I find it very upsetting. It's definitely triggering some kind of deep emotional response in South Africans." |
| Like many compatriots, Freimond had accepted the Olympian and Paralympian's status as a role model without question. "We have very few of them in this country. Maybe because of our dividedness, we don't have that many heroes who cut across all groups. This guy cut across everything. He was the superhuman soul." | Like many compatriots, Freimond had accepted the Olympian and Paralympian's status as a role model without question. "We have very few of them in this country. Maybe because of our dividedness, we don't have that many heroes who cut across all groups. This guy cut across everything. He was the superhuman soul." |
| Initial reports suggested that the killing was a "horrible accident" in which Pistorius mistook his girlfriend for an intruder – a believable enough scenario in a nation which, according to police figures, saw 16,766 robberies at residential premises last year. On radio and in social media, South Africans expressed support and pity for the 26-year-old athlete. | Initial reports suggested that the killing was a "horrible accident" in which Pistorius mistook his girlfriend for an intruder – a believable enough scenario in a nation which, according to police figures, saw 16,766 robberies at residential premises last year. On radio and in social media, South Africans expressed support and pity for the 26-year-old athlete. |
| But as Thursday wore on, police dismissed the theory, insisting it had not come from them, and said that four shots had been fired after neighbours heard shouting. Public sympathy for the runner began to wane, especially when the media began to piece together Pistorius's "dark side": an investigation into reckless driving following a boat crash, a night in police custody after an alleged assault (a charge later dropped), a reported threat to break a man's legs in a dispute over a woman. | But as Thursday wore on, police dismissed the theory, insisting it had not come from them, and said that four shots had been fired after neighbours heard shouting. Public sympathy for the runner began to wane, especially when the media began to piece together Pistorius's "dark side": an investigation into reckless driving following a boat crash, a night in police custody after an alleged assault (a charge later dropped), a reported threat to break a man's legs in a dispute over a woman. |
| Then there was his interest, perhaps obsession, with guns. An interview in the New York Times magazine found Pistorius talking about how he drew a pistol to search his home when his alarm went off. | Then there was his interest, perhaps obsession, with guns. An interview in the New York Times magazine found Pistorius talking about how he drew a pistol to search his home when his alarm went off. |
| By Friday there was a sense of disillusionment for many as Pistorius appeared in court to face a charge of premeditated murder. "The dude was at the height of his powers," said Freimond. "It's inconceivable that a hero to so many millions of people would do such a thing." | By Friday there was a sense of disillusionment for many as Pistorius appeared in court to face a charge of premeditated murder. "The dude was at the height of his powers," said Freimond. "It's inconceivable that a hero to so many millions of people would do such a thing." |
| The tragedy has led to calls for a debate about gun control and gun culture like that which is convulsing another country with a tortured racial history: America. Last weekend Trent Barcroft, chief executive of Chrysler South Africa, was in intensive care after being shot during a robbery outside Johannesburg. In 2010, Swedish bride Anni Dewani was shot dead while on honeymoon in Cape Town; her British husband, Shrien, is still fighting extradition. The great majority of cases never make headlines. | The tragedy has led to calls for a debate about gun control and gun culture like that which is convulsing another country with a tortured racial history: America. Last weekend Trent Barcroft, chief executive of Chrysler South Africa, was in intensive care after being shot during a robbery outside Johannesburg. In 2010, Swedish bride Anni Dewani was shot dead while on honeymoon in Cape Town; her British husband, Shrien, is still fighting extradition. The great majority of cases never make headlines. |
| Up to six million South African civilians own guns – around 12% of the population – according to estimates. Airports and casinos have prominent signs directing people to storage rooms to deposit their weapons. Many keep them for self-defence, citing the country's spectacular crime rate, but triggering an inevitable arms race with criminals. Gated communities such as the one where Pistorius lives, with high walls and electrified fences, provide security but arguably inflame the divide between the haves and the have-nots. | Up to six million South African civilians own guns – around 12% of the population – according to estimates. Airports and casinos have prominent signs directing people to storage rooms to deposit their weapons. Many keep them for self-defence, citing the country's spectacular crime rate, but triggering an inevitable arms race with criminals. Gated communities such as the one where Pistorius lives, with high walls and electrified fences, provide security but arguably inflame the divide between the haves and the have-nots. |
| "There's no question that there's a gun culture," said David Bruce, a criminal justice researcher. In the late 1990s and early 2000s there was an effective campaign, he added, meaning that South Africa now has strong laws on gun ownership. The Firearms Control Act of 2004 limits individuals to one gun for self-defence, and guns have since been overtaken by "sharp instruments" as the principal cause of murders. Many are still illegally owned, however. "The South African trope about 'you've got the laws and policies, what about implementing them?' would appear to apply in this case," said Bruce. | "There's no question that there's a gun culture," said David Bruce, a criminal justice researcher. In the late 1990s and early 2000s there was an effective campaign, he added, meaning that South Africa now has strong laws on gun ownership. The Firearms Control Act of 2004 limits individuals to one gun for self-defence, and guns have since been overtaken by "sharp instruments" as the principal cause of murders. Many are still illegally owned, however. "The South African trope about 'you've got the laws and policies, what about implementing them?' would appear to apply in this case," said Bruce. |
| The national murder rate has been declining for years, though an average of 43 lives are still taken every day. Steenkamp's death came on the same day as public events decrying gender violence and just weeks after the gang rape and murder of a teenager prompted comparisons with a similar incident in India. On Friday one TV news presenter asked bluntly: "Why are South African men so violent?" | The national murder rate has been declining for years, though an average of 43 lives are still taken every day. Steenkamp's death came on the same day as public events decrying gender violence and just weeks after the gang rape and murder of a teenager prompted comparisons with a similar incident in India. On Friday one TV news presenter asked bluntly: "Why are South African men so violent?" |
| Belying stereotypes, both Pistorius and his girlfriend were white and well-off. Eusebius McKaiser, an associate at the Wits Centre for Ethics in Johannesburg, said: "It shatters the idea that perpetrators and victims look a certain way. It shatters the belief that domestic violence is solely a product of poverty." | Belying stereotypes, both Pistorius and his girlfriend were white and well-off. Eusebius McKaiser, an associate at the Wits Centre for Ethics in Johannesburg, said: "It shatters the idea that perpetrators and victims look a certain way. It shatters the belief that domestic violence is solely a product of poverty." |
| From the treatment of pets to voting in TV talent shows, race still worms its way into almost every South African issue. The immediate aftermath of the shooting brought online comments from white people blaming the failure of the black government to tackle crime for making the likes of Pistorius feel they need guns to defend themselves. One news site had to suspend its comments section as racist opinions poured in. | From the treatment of pets to voting in TV talent shows, race still worms its way into almost every South African issue. The immediate aftermath of the shooting brought online comments from white people blaming the failure of the black government to tackle crime for making the likes of Pistorius feel they need guns to defend themselves. One news site had to suspend its comments section as racist opinions poured in. |
| Pistorius has, perhaps glibly, been described as a hero to all South Africans when in fact sport often divides along racial lines. White people make up only 9% of the population, and his appeal in black townships and villages has rarely been tested. On the day after the killing, the editorial of the Sowetan newspaper was devoted to the fall of a sporting "legend" – not Pistorius but Phil Setshedi, a football coach jailed for match fixing. | Pistorius has, perhaps glibly, been described as a hero to all South Africans when in fact sport often divides along racial lines. White people make up only 9% of the population, and his appeal in black townships and villages has rarely been tested. On the day after the killing, the editorial of the Sowetan newspaper was devoted to the fall of a sporting "legend" – not Pistorius but Phil Setshedi, a football coach jailed for match fixing. |
| McKaiser added: "For many black South Africans, any embarrassment they have about this story going global is mitigated by the fact that 'he's not one of us'. This is the way race plays out in South Africa." | McKaiser added: "For many black South Africans, any embarrassment they have about this story going global is mitigated by the fact that 'he's not one of us'. This is the way race plays out in South Africa." |
| In court on Friday, as Pistorius repeatedly broke down and sobbed, chief magistrate Desmond Nair said he was anxious to avoid any perception that the Olympian would receive "preferential treatment". Yet the magistrate acceded to a request for Pistorius to spend the weekend at a police station rather than the grimmer surroundings of prison, as would be the normal convention. One advocate taking part in the case admitted the decision was based on Pistorius's fame rather than special needs due to his disability. "There are plenty of disabled people in jail," he said drily. | In court on Friday, as Pistorius repeatedly broke down and sobbed, chief magistrate Desmond Nair said he was anxious to avoid any perception that the Olympian would receive "preferential treatment". Yet the magistrate acceded to a request for Pistorius to spend the weekend at a police station rather than the grimmer surroundings of prison, as would be the normal convention. One advocate taking part in the case admitted the decision was based on Pistorius's fame rather than special needs due to his disability. "There are plenty of disabled people in jail," he said drily. |
| The fallen champion is due back in court on Tuesday to apply for bail, which police have said they will oppose. Given the vagaries of South Africa's delay-prone courts, it could be many months before he stands trial. The magistrate has already ruled that TV cameras will not be allowed. | The fallen champion is due back in court on Tuesday to apply for bail, which police have said they will oppose. Given the vagaries of South Africa's delay-prone courts, it could be many months before he stands trial. The magistrate has already ruled that TV cameras will not be allowed. |
| The first exchanges at Friday's court hearing pitted advocate Gerrie Nel – best known for the successful prosecution of a national police commissioner for corruption – against advocate Barry Roux for the defence. The rapid arrival of Stuart Higgins, former editor of the Sun, to strengthen Pistorius's PR operation suggested that the media circus is coming to town. | The first exchanges at Friday's court hearing pitted advocate Gerrie Nel – best known for the successful prosecution of a national police commissioner for corruption – against advocate Barry Roux for the defence. The rapid arrival of Stuart Higgins, former editor of the Sun, to strengthen Pistorius's PR operation suggested that the media circus is coming to town. |
| But whatever the wider implications, for many this remains a compelling story about one extraordinary man and his unfathomable fall from grace. Six months ago Oscar Pistorius was on the track, performing to cheering crowds, one of the jewels in London's Olympic and Paralympic crown; today he is languishing behind bars, contemplating a possible life sentence. South Africa might do well to heed Bertolt Brecht's old line: "Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes." | But whatever the wider implications, for many this remains a compelling story about one extraordinary man and his unfathomable fall from grace. Six months ago Oscar Pistorius was on the track, performing to cheering crowds, one of the jewels in London's Olympic and Paralympic crown; today he is languishing behind bars, contemplating a possible life sentence. South Africa might do well to heed Bertolt Brecht's old line: "Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes." |
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