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Oscar Pistorius has sold the Pretoria home in which he shot dead Reeva Steenkamp, it has been confirmed, but only after accepting an offer £100,000 ($168,000/€125,000) less than the initial asking price.
This follows news in May that the process to sell the house, which lies in the gated Silver Woods Country Estate community in the east of the city, after it was put on sale in March.
New owner Louwtjie Lourens, a mining consultant, told The Times newspaper in South Africa that he plans to live in the house with his family when he retires, but it is believed the property will be rented out until the Lourens moves in.
“It is in a safe area and everyone I dealt with was very professional,” he told the paper.
The house was the scene of Steenkamp’s Valentine’s Day death last year that has resulted in Pistorius’ riveting murder trial.
Final arguments in the trial will be heard next week. Judge Thokozile Masipa will then indicate when she will hand down a verdict.
Pistorius, the legless athlete known as the Blade Runner for his prosthetic legs, claims he thought he was acting in self defense when he fired four shots through the closed bathroom door, because he believed the noise he heard in the bathroom was an intruder.
Prosecutors have argued that Pistorius intentionally fired at Steenkamp, who was hiding behind the door.
The prosecutor’s office said this week that it has filed its final arguments with the court. “We are ready to argue,” said spokesperson Nathi Mcube.
Pistorius’ lawyers have until Monday to file their written final arguments.
Agencies/Canadajournal
