UDEMWO criticises Oscar Pistorius' return to sport, calling it a disrespect to Reeva Steenkamp's legacy
Oscar Pistorius.
Image: File
The United Democratic Movement Women's Organisation (UDEMWO) has condemned convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius' participation in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Durban last weekend, labelling it a blatant insult to the memory of his late girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
This statement comes in light of Pistorius' first public appearance in sports since being granted parole in January 2024, following the tragic murder of Steenkamp 12 years ago.
Pistorius, widely recognised as the 'Blade Runner', completed the race, which consisted of swimming, cycling, and running, with a time of 5:56:39.
His startling return to the public sporting domain has triggered vehement reactions.
Thandi Nontenja, MP and UDEMWO secretary general, said the organisation is appalled to learn that Pistorius participated in the triathlon.
According to media reports, his attorney Conrad Dormehl confirmed the athlete's involvement as 'part of his rehabilitation', and Pistorius' parole officer allegedly approved his travel from Pretoria to Durban, she said.
Nontenja stated that this is unacceptable, and the fact that Pistorius was granted parole in the first place was a travesty of justice.
'His public return to sport as though nothing happened is a deep insult to the memory of Reeva Steenkamp and a painful reminder to her loved ones that her life was violently cut short. She will never again celebrate a birthday or milestone, while the man who ended her life enjoys the privilege of sport and public presence.
'This situation leaves a bitter taste for women in South Africa,' said Nontenja.
'In a country overwhelmed by gender-based violence and femicide, how can a convicted murderer be allowed to resume normal life so easily? How is it possible that a man who committed such a horrific crime against a woman is now participating in events alongside law-abiding citizens?' she asked.
According to Nontenja, this is a glaring indictment of South Africa's justice system.
She said the fact that Pistorius is walking free and engaging in leisure activities is a 'slap in the face' to the Steenkamp family and to every survivor of gender-based violence.
'It shows just how poorly the country is doing in enforcing laws that are meant to protect women. Our parole system is failing the very people it is supposed to safeguard,' she said.
UDEMWO demanded that Pistorius not be allowed to live as though he were a free man while on parole. 'Public sporting events are for citizens who have not committed unspeakable crimes. We also demand a thorough investigation into the conduct of his parole officer,' said Nontenja.
She added that the organisation is equally concerned about the failure of the National Prosecuting Authority under the leadership of Advocate Shamila Batohi to prioritise and effectively prosecute gender-based violence cases.
'The long delays in high-profile cases such as that of Timothy Omotoso are deeply troubling. It may well be for the best that Advocate Batohi is expected to leave office in January 2026.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
'She is still alive': Joslin Smith hope renewed
The National Prosecuting Authority has renewed hope that little Joslin Smith is still alive despite being missing for over a year. The Salanha Bay girl's disappearance has sparked a national, and even international, rescue effort. Her mother, Kelly Smith, and two others – Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn – have since been convicted and sentenced for kidnapping and child trafficking. Speaking in a webinar this week, NPA prosecutor Zelda Swanepoel shared her beliefs about Joslin Smith. Earlier this month, Swapepoel helped the state to convict Joslin's mother, Kelly Smith, the latter's boyfriend, Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis, and their pal, Steveno van Rhyn. A life sentence for trafficking and kidnapping was handed down by Western Cape High Court judge, Nathan Erasmus. She said of the search for the missing girl: 'We have done a comprehensive search in Saldanha of all the exhibits. 'Everything that was found in all of those dunes, all the bones, all the clothing, was analysed, there were no positive DNA results found on anything. She continued: 'I'm convinced that she is still alive. However, I don't know where she is. I can only hope we find her.' Will Kelly Smith ever reveal where her daughter Joslin is? The Saldanha Bay girl went missing on 19 February 2024. Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC Swanepoel added that Joslin's case was the first prosecution she had worked on where the missing child had not been found. She added that much of the case hung on the state witness Lourentia Lombaard. The NPA was also banking on the possibility that Joslin's mother would testify. 'We were always hopeful during the trial that the accused would come and testify in the main trial. The plan was to destroy their credibility and demonstrate the improbabilities in their versions. Yes, their decision to remain silent, especially Kelly, was very disappointing,' she added. Meanwhile, Joslin's mother Kelly Smith as well as Appollis and van Rhyn have filed their notices this week for leave to appeal their convictions and sentences. The NPA are also awaiting the fate of the state witness Lourentia Lombaard, whose verdict will be announced by Judge Erasmus at an appointed date. A 204 inquiry will determine if Lombaard will be granted indemnity based on her testimony. If the court does find that Lombaard did not testify truthfully, she could face prosecution for perjury and related charges. Lombaard previously stated under oath that Joslin's mother, Kelly Smith, allegedly sold her to a sangoma for R20 000. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Aserie Ndlovu murder case postponed as fifth suspect joins
The murder case was postponed after the newly-arrested fifth suspect opted to appoint a private lawyer. Pretoria-based journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdluli were reported missing since February 2025. Picture: Facebook/Sbusiso Aserie Ndlovu The case of the five men charged in connection with the disappearance and murder of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdluli, has been postponed to 4 July. The case was postponed to allow the fifth suspect, Thabang Isaac Hlophe, to secure legal representation after joining the other four. Father Samuel Mogowe, Lucky Sikhosana, David Madisha, and Sello Skhalo Uoane previously abandoned their bail applications. Court appearance for formal joinder The five accused, who appeared in the KwaMhlanga Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga on Friday, are facing two counts of kidnapping and murder each. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said Friday's court appearance was for the formal joinder of Hlophe to the matter and a possible bail application on his behalf. 'However, the application did not proceed as Hlophe opted to appoint a private attorney to represent him,' Nyuswa said. All suspects have been remanded in custody. 'The [NPA] condemns acts of violent crime and remains resolute in pursuing justice for victims,' Nyuswa said. ALSO READ: Kidnapping victim saved after screaming from moving car on N1 Ndlovu and Mdluli reported missing Ndlovu and Mdluli were last seen on 18 February and were reported missing shortly after their disappearance. The accused were arrested on different occasions during a police intelligence-driven operation. The first suspect arrested was the last to be in the company of the missing couple. 'The second, third and fourth suspects that have been arrested were found with different vehicle parts believed to be those of the missing journalist,' police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said shortly after the arrests. 'One of those arrested is said to be a mechanic who builds and fixes cars in the KwaMhlanga area. Two VW Citi Golfs that were found in possession of the suspects have been seized,' Mathe added. Remains and DNA confirmation Skeletal remains with gunshot wounds, believed to be of the missing couple, were discovered in Rust de Winter along the Limpopo-Gauteng border in May after the suspects identified the location. Earlier this month, police confirmed that DNA analysis positively linked the remains to Ndlovu and Mdluli. 'The human remains were analysed and matched with the reference sample of the biological relatives of the deceased. A positive DNA match thus confirms that the discovered remains are those of the missing couple,' Mathe said at the time. NOW READ: 'Gruesome discovery': Missing teen girl found dead inside shack as stepfather linked to murder
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Hitman jailed for life after attacking elderly couple on son-in-law's orders
Davis was handed two life sentences for a deadly stabbing and two attempted murders carried out at dawn, under orders from the victims' son-in-law. A Cape Town man has been sentenced to two life terms for killing an elderly man and attacking his wife during morning prayer, in a paid hit ordered by the couple's son-in-law. The High Court Western Cape Division handed Reagan Davis two life sentences and 15 years for the murder of 75-year-old Hashim Ahmed Dennis and the attempted murder of his 70-year-old wife, Kulsoem Dennis, and their daughter, Ibtisaam Dennis. The attackers targeted the couple while they were preparing for the sunrise prayer. Elderly couple targeted while preparing for sunrise prayers Davis, 35, stood trial alongside the elderly couple's son-in-law, Brent Williams. However, Williams died on 10 February 2025, just before the state closed its case. After Williams died, the trial continued against Davis. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said that senior state prosecutor Advocate Evadne Kortje proved that the murder was a contract killing and Davis was paid R1 000, which he used to buy takkies. Kortje led evidence from 10 witnesses, which revealed that Williams and his wife, Ibtisaam Dennis, stayed with the elderly couple. ALSO READ: Western Cape police launch investigation after Mauritian killed in apparent hit Ntabazalila said the couple had two children and marital problems. 'Williams hired Davis and another man, unknown to the state, to invade and attack his in-laws to 'neutralise' his marital problems. At the time, the elderly couple stayed in a flatlet in the couple's yard,' Ntabazalila said. CCTV footage showed Williams travelling with the two co-perpetrators in his red maroon bakkie to the area of 6 Conifer Close in the early hours of 31 January 2019. The son-in-law dropped Davis and the other man off and drove off to wait until they finished the job. Son-in-law dropped perpetrators off near house Davis and the other man gained access to the house through the security gate, which was not forced open. Devout Muslim worshippers prepare for Fajr, or the sunrise prayer, at approximately four in the morning. Around the world, worshippers offer one of the five daily prayers of the Islamic faith. The taking of Wudu, which is the cleansing ritual required before praying, is the first step in each prayer. Ntabazalila said that while the elderly husband was busy with the cleansing ritual in the bathroom, his wife was seated on the bed reciting passages from the Holy Quran before they would pray Fajr at 4.30am that day. ALSO READ: Murder witness shot dead outside Lenasia Magistrate's Court The Dennis' normally open the sliding door of their flatlet so that their daughter or grandchildren could join the prayers or come in. Kulsoem Dennis heard the voice of an intruder asking where the money was in Afrikaans before brutally attacking her. The intruder struck the wife on the head, neck, and chest with a firearm. 'She chanted, 'Allahu-Akbar' (God is Great) until she hit the floor. Severely injured and in shock, she lay on the floor, pretending to be dead as her burga (headscarf) fell softly over her face and she kept her eyes closed,' Ntabazalila said. Wife pretended to be dead According to the NPA, the wife heard shoving noises as the attackers ransacked the room. They assaulted Hashim Ahmed Dennis as he stepped out of the bedroom. 'When it quieted down, she got up and found her husband on the floor, deceased, bleeding from various stab wounds. He had 15 stab wounds,' Ntabazalila said. The couple's daughter heard a noise and noticed a bright light from her parents' flatlet. When she went to investigate, she was met with a knife-wielding intruder who charged at her. ALSO READ: Five arrested after Mpumalanga police officer killed in apparent hit [UPDATE] Ibtisaam Dennis quickly turned around and closed the sliding door to the main house, saving herself and her two children. CCTV footage showed the two attackers sprinting back to Williams' vehicle, getting in the bakkie and driving away shortly after the attack. The daughter called the police and her sister as she discovered the home invasion and the attack on her parents. Ntabazalila said that the police investigation identified Williams as the mastermind behind the attacks. Williams was arrested on 20 May 2020. Mastermind behind attack was the son-in-law Police arrested Davis on 10 June 2020. He did not provide an alibi to the investigating officer. In aggravation of the sentence, Advocate Kortje argued that the murder was premeditated, executed with direct intent and excessive force, and committed in the context of a robbery and housebreaking. He described it as a contract killing orchestrated by the son-in-law. 'The attempted murder of Mrs Dennis involved sadistic violence against a vulnerable and elderly woman at peace during a prayer in the bedroom of her home,' Ntabazalila said. ALSO READ: Mother who allegedly hired hitmen to murder 'drug-addict' son remains behind bars The court sentenced Davis to: 15 years' direct imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to commit murder, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, Life imprisonment for the attempted murder of the wife, 10 years for the attempted murder of the daughter, and Life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of the husband. It ordered the sentences of housebreaking with intent to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and attempted murder of Ibtisaam Dennis to run concurrently with the two life sentences. Two life sentences and 15 years The Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nicolette Bell, praised the investigation and prosecution team's efforts to bring justice to the victims. 'It can never be overemphasised how important human life is, and the NPA will continue being vigorous in its pursuit of these cases to serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers,' Bell assured.
