Oscar Pistorius might soon find himself in financial difficulty if his case drags on for too long. – image – www.indiatimes.com
Oscar Pistorius is said to be keeping a close eye on his financial situation. This comes after he was fined almost R 1 million by the South African Revenue Services last week. On the other hand, his legal expenses keep on piling as he continues to proclaim his innocence in the death of Reeva Steenkamp.
Reeva Steenkamp started dating Oscar Pistorius just a few months before she was shot and killed at the paralympian’s home in Pretoria. Pistorius says that he shot through the bathroom door of his home on Valentine’s Day thinking that there was a burglar hiding in the room. It turned out to be Reeva behind the door. Pistorius says that he only realised his horrible mistake after he went to check on Reeva in the bedroom and could not find her.
During the athlete’s bail hearing it emerged that he had not disclosed all his income and assets. He declared a yearly income of over R 6 million, three homes and land in South Africa. Pistorius did not make any mention of the R 9.8 million rand home he bought in Johannesburg early this year. The Independent reported that it was this omission that left Oscar Pistorius with a fine payable to SARS.
The Pistorius family says that, though facing a financially draining trial, Oscar’s financial situation is stable. This is despite the fact that many of his sponsors, including Nike and Oakley, have put their sponsorship of the athlete on hold pending the outcome of the trial. Also, Pistorius will not be a part of any competitions this year.
The Pistorius family was relieved last week when Oscar’s brother Carl was acquitted of culpable homicide. In 2008, Marietje Barnard died when her motorcycle was hit by the car that Carl was driving. The family is hopeful that the same result will prevail in the Oscar Pistorius case. Oscar Pistorius returns to court on 4 June.
