Reeva's parents haven't done anything wrong, so I don't understand why people would choose to be nasty about them.

 Reading the BIB makes me appreciate our NHS even more.

because some have their pitchforks ready to have a go at everyone before they know the full story.  I'm annoyed at the underhanded tactics to get this information into the public sphere to make Oscar seem like a remorseful man - the Steenkamps really are dirt poor - people forget Reeva was subsidising both her parents who had split but are now back together again.  Barry was so poor that he was selling wood at the side of the road to scrape a living after his horse training business had failed.

They will also have had to pay medical bills for his treatment for his stroke after Reeva's death. 

 I had no idea that Reeva was supporting them financially, nor that they had split up and got back together again. 

I am guessing that SA doesn't have a benefit system, as we know it, as well as not having a decent health service?

Morning Ladies! 

Just read this. It explains who those scary geezers at the back of the court yesterday are! 

http://www.theguardian.com/wor...ents-oscar-pistorius

But, onwards and downwards eh? 

I have no clue Yogi, they asked for none of the heartbreak they are going through and now their good name is being questioned...I really hate how the DT have gone about OP's defence. 

I'm sure the DT are just throwing in everything but the kitchen sink, as a defence tactic to get as lenient a sentence as they can for Oscar. Sadly, it's the way these things work.

Morning Xochi..I think the scary geezers are there for a little bit of payback and like someone else said...his past may have come back to haunt him a little

I agree Yogi, doesn't make it ethically right and nothing to be proud about in the after press conference, which I am sure Roux will sing his own praises. he's been underhanded and devious throughout. Holding reports back until 30 minutes before the start of court and the witnesses have been of the seediest kind, all paid by OP and his DT. 

no benefits at all and if you are ill and can't afford to pay (netcare and the like are all private) you can access a public hospital but you bring your own sheets and blankets, have someone bring food in for you, take what you can get and hope your treatment keeps you alive (not the fault of doctors and nurses) it is severely underfunded by corrupt officials but then that's SA all over 

#OscarTrial Also no peroxide spiky hair because the Batch isn't here, but there is spiky peroxide hair as Annette Vergeer retakes the stand.

  dunno what that's all about 

#OscarTrial as an official, you could have official requested info from another department? Vergeer agrees. BB

Oh my word! Makes me thankful that I was born in Britain.

Steenkamp press statement http://www.algoafm.co.za/article.aspx?id=10904

PRESS STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF MR AND MRS STEENKAMP 
(THE PARENTS)

1. Certain disclosures in Court yesterday have made it necessary to issue this statement.

2. We have advised the parents to remain neutral in regard to sentence in the sense that they should not be seen to attempt to influence the sentence in any way.

3. After Miss Steenkamp (the deceased) was killed on 14 February 2013, the parents were in financial difficulties.

3.1 This was mentioned to Mr Pistorius's lawyers during discussions in regard to a possible civil claim by the parents.

3.2 We were contacted soon afterwards by Mr Pistorius's lawyers with an offer that Mr Pistorius would contribute an amount of R6 000.00 per month towards the parents' rental and living expenses.

3.3 Payments took place from March 2013 until September 2014.

3.4 When the offer was made during March 2013, we, on behalf of the parents, thought that it would only be fair to Mr Pistorius that the public should know this. The request of Mr Pistorius, conveyed through his lawyers, however was that the matter be kept confidential. We have honoured this request.

3.5 We were therefore quite surprised yesterday when this fact was disclosed in court without any prior warning to us. The fact that the matter had been kept confidential at the request of Mr Pistorius's legal advisers, has also not been placed on record.

3.6 The parents intend to repay this amount to Mr Pistorius as soon as arrangements can be made in that regard. 

3.7 It was always the intention of the parents that the amounts of R6 000.00 would be set-off against any civil claim that they were going to institute. However once they had decided not to proceed with the civil claim, which decision was only taken during the past few weeks, it follows that the money will be repaid. 

4. THE SETTLEMENT OFFER

4.1 In view of the pending civil action we considered it appropriate to attempt some kind of settlement in that regard as soon as possible.

4.2 This was considered especially because the parents were emotionally suffering quite badly and an early settlement was considered to be appropriate in order for them to get some closure on this specific issue as soon as possible, and to avoid a lengthy civil case.

4.3 It was for this reason that we approached Mr Pistorius' legal advisers with a request as to whether the matter could not be settled. At that stage the parents were not aware of our approaches and discussions between the legal teams were confidential.

4.4 The offer of settlement was then made by Mr Pistorius.

4.5 When the parents were made aware of this offer, they considered it carefully but decided, for various reasons, that they did not want any payment from Mr Pistorius. This is also why we were instructed to advise that no civil claim would be instituted.

4.6 We place this on record to make it clear that a request for an offer emanated from our side, and not from Mr Pistorius's side. He was responding to our request as to whether the civil claim could not be settled.

4.7 We agreed with Mr Pistorius' legal advisors that this issue could be raised by them, but then in the context that it had been rejected.

5. There will be no further comment.

 Wonder who The Batch is?

Seems Vergeer has the authority to release DTs information that was supposed to be confidential 

#OscarTrial The prosecutor is querying why Vergeer used the internet for her research rather than go direct to correctional services dpt

I know - I think it's Barry Bateman saying this   Vergeer's hair is a real talking point. 

Nel says web page identified by Vergeer as source for findings on SA prisons came from a speech made at conference @eNCAnews #OscarTrial

 Badger Woman.

Dame, that statement on behalf of Reeva's parents helps to clarify things.

#OscarTrial Judge stops Gerrie Nel and says he's rushing. Doesnt feel like that from the media bench

#OscarTrial another of Vergeer’s research reference’s dates back to 2008. She has nothing more recent than that. BB

Statement from Steenkamp parents: #OscarPistorius asked for his monthly payments to them to be kept confidential. They wanted it public.

so why did the DT get this badger to bring it to the public domain? 

don't you get the impression these people have just done a google search to get paid and not much else 

if you can't get to sleep tonight here's the report Gerrie is on about

Vergeer relied on this speech http://www.csvr.org.za/wits/confpaps/witbooi.htm … from the General Secretary of Popcru for her report #OscarPistorius #sabcnews

I swiped if from DS  

Nel says main concern of police union official was short-staffing in prisons - not enough entry level staff @eNCAnews #OscarTrial

Nel questions Vergeer on what she knows of the Act - says prisoner can write and request a single cell #OscarPistorius MV

Steenkamps lawyers initially reached out to Pistorius family without consulting the couple.

^

hope this gets out and people put their pitch forks down 

Because they hoped it portrayed Oscar in a good light?

because of the OP is a good boy impression 

#OscarTrial Nel criticises Vergeer for making her comments without knowing how the prison system is run. BB

Good swipe.

Nel: I'm worried that you come to court and "complain" about prison conditions when you don't know them. #Pistorius

thank god for Nel. exposing these incompetent fools 

n'arf 

I can't believe she was quoting figures/prison conditions from years ago. Why did she not get up-to-date information?

It is looking that way.

#OscarTrial Nel: Do you know there're people with wheelchairs in prison? Vergeer: I know that m'lady

I've just spotted Carl and his legs in moonboots looking at his phone - probably reading the twitter feed - hope you're reading mine Carl much love Pengy & Dame and Yogi Blessings 

I hope he does make a recovery because I'm starting to have a soft spot for Carl 

because she just wants paid  I think it must be Roger Rocks sister 

Nel says he'll call a witness that will testify that #OscarPistorius 's prosthetic legs won't be taken away if he goes to prison #sabcnews

#OscarTrial Nel calls the probation officer 'so so irresponsible' for coming to court and not being as knowlegable as he says she shd be

Nel: "I find it so, so irresponsible" that you would not know. Vergeer: "I can't find out everything from a specific department." #Pistorius

I hope he makes a full recovery too...but scratch me out of the love and blessings