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.
P.J. de Bruyn S.C.
Tania Koen Attorney
.
