Advertisement

Oscar Pistorius trial: Who are the fans claiming the athlete's innocence?

The fans, who are mostly women, stood outside Pretoria's High Court yesterday holding white balloons with Pistorius's name written on it in black marker and messages of support

The trial of 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius has made headlines across the world.

But while judge Thokozile Masipa is the woman who will decide whether the Paralympic champion murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day, 2013, some of Pistorius's fans are convinced of his innocence.

[Pistorius Sobs Over Reeva's Valentine's Card]

The supporters, who are mostly women, stood outside Pretoria's High Court yesterday holding messages of support and white balloons with Pistorius's name written on it in black marker pen.

As the accused entered the court he was kissed on the cheek and hugged by a supporter dressed in white.

Susan Malan, from the 'Support For Oscar' Facebook group, held up a sign that read: 'We Love you OZZY and still praying for you.. LOVE'.

 

[Oscar Pistorius's Tears: Genuine Or Contrived?]

 

The public Facebook group, which urges fans to show their support for the runner because 'this could happen to any of us', has almost 10,000 'likes' since it was created on March 6 this year.

It posts frequent updates from the trial which are liked and commented on by users who say they are praying for Pistorius's acquittal.

One fan, Betsie Huijink, wrote: 'Well well done Barry (Roux, Pistorius's lawyer), to You and your awesome team.!! The truth will set Oscar FREE...and nothing more.!! Praying for your all the way Oscar. x' (sic).

The comment received six 'likes'.

One supporter, Illona Barnes Jonker, wrote: 'Oscar is so depleted - I feel like giving him a glass of warm milk and tucking him into bed for a long long rest - he is physically and emotionally drained!'.

They are not the only group of 'Pistorians' - the name for the athlete's most loyal fans.

A search in Facebook reveals a number of similarly themed groups and the blog 'Support For Oscar' posts as many as 60 messages a day from fans all over the world.

Mira, who manages the blog, said: 'Oscar Pistorius has had a huge influence on my life, inspired by his life and his approach to overcome obstacles he helped me to overcome my own.'

But supporting the athlete does not mean Pistorius's fans lack sympathy for the Steenkamp family.

Mira added: 'I would like them to know that I feel very sorry for their loss. As I have lost close family members and friends too I can fully understand how devastated they must feel. I hope they will find peace of mind and a way to deal with their lives without Reeva.'

The trial is due to finish in May. The athlete faces life in prison if he is found guilty of the model's murder.