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Reeva’s former domestic worker says Oscar’s sentence is a bitter pill for the black community to swallow, writes Jaco Nel
Reeva Steenkamp’s former domestic worker, who attended every day of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial but was never allowed into the courtroom, says the athlete’s six-year sentence is “not a lot, but at least it’s something”.
“But I can honestly tell you there are a lot of people in my community who aren’t happy with this.
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially for black people,” said Khomotso Masoa (42) in an interview with City Press’ sister newspaper Rapport.
According to Masoa, she was at the high court for every one of Pistorius’ court appearances, where she waited quietly in the lobby. She was never allowed into the court as she was not a member of the family or media.
Masoa says she used to be the Steenkamps’ domestic worker in Port Elizabeth, but these days she is an entrepreneur who rents out vehicles to Uber.
Since working for the Steenkamps, she has moved to Pretoria. That’s why she was able to take days off to attend the trial, and the sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
“I remember Reeva well and I loved her very much,” said Masoa over a cup of coffee with Rapport.
To her jacket is pinned a little black-and-white photograph with the caption “Reeva 1983 – 2013”.
“I didn’t know her when she was a child because I only started working for them when she was already a student. She was an incredibly pleasant person.”
Initially, she nods in acceptance when the topic of the six-year sentence Judge Thokozile Masipa handed Pistorius comes up.
“Yes, six years is not a lot, but at least it’s something. It’s understandable if you take Oscar’s condition and his lifestyle into account.
“I’m quite happy with how things turned out and at least he is behind bars.”
She says the words but doesn’t show any emotion. There is a deeper issue for Masoa here, especially because she loved Reeva so much.
According to Masoa, friends and acquaintances in her community are comparing the Pistorius case to that of DJ Donald Sebolai (38) from Jozi FM, who was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Dolly Tshabalala.
“He didn’t cry as much as Oscar,” said Masoa. “But he didn’t just get six years.
“Look, Judge Masipa clearly had a lot of sympathy for Oscar Pistorius.
“But what is the message the high court is sending to the rest of South Africa? I don’t really understand that.”
