Oscar Pistorius before his sentencing hearing. (Agence France-Presse)
Johannesburg:
Oscar Pistorius's brother and sister on Monday gave a string of television interviews ahead of the sentencing of South Africa's star athlete for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
The Paralympian could be jailed for 10 years or ordered to serve house arrest on Tuesday when High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa hands down her sentence.
The judge had last month acquitted the double amputee track star of murder, but found him guilty of culpable homicide, a conviction whose penalty ranges from a fine to time behind bars.
The prosecution wants him locked away for 10 years while the defence argued for three years of "correctional supervision", which is the equivalent of house arrest.
The defence also suggested that while serving house arrest Pistorius could do 16 hours of community service a month, cleaning a Pretoria museum.
"It's obvious we can't speculate what the outcome will be tomorrow," said older brother Carl Pistorius in an interview with the eNCA television channel.
"It has been a taxing 20 months ... and no doubt tomorrow will also be difficult," he added.
It was the first time Carl and younger sister Aimee have spoken publicly since the fatal shooting.
Aimee said the family had struggled to come to terms with Steenkamp's death.
She said Steenkamp had become part of the Pistorius family in the few months the couple had been together.
"It's important for us that they (Steenkamp's family) know that she was very much cared for and loved and accepted as part of our family in the short time that she was with us," Aimee said.
"She had a wonderful charisma," and it was "easy to fall in love with her," she added.
The siblings vowed to stand with Pistorius as he faces his fate.
"We have a strong faith and we stand strong," Carl said.
The Paralympian could be jailed for 10 years or ordered to serve house arrest on Tuesday when High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa hands down her sentence.
The judge had last month acquitted the double amputee track star of murder, but found him guilty of culpable homicide, a conviction whose penalty ranges from a fine to time behind bars.
The prosecution wants him locked away for 10 years while the defence argued for three years of "correctional supervision", which is the equivalent of house arrest.
The defence also suggested that while serving house arrest Pistorius could do 16 hours of community service a month, cleaning a Pretoria museum.
"It's obvious we can't speculate what the outcome will be tomorrow," said older brother Carl Pistorius in an interview with the eNCA television channel.
"It has been a taxing 20 months ... and no doubt tomorrow will also be difficult," he added.
It was the first time Carl and younger sister Aimee have spoken publicly since the fatal shooting.
Aimee said the family had struggled to come to terms with Steenkamp's death.
She said Steenkamp had become part of the Pistorius family in the few months the couple had been together.
"It's important for us that they (Steenkamp's family) know that she was very much cared for and loved and accepted as part of our family in the short time that she was with us," Aimee said.
"She had a wonderful charisma," and it was "easy to fall in love with her," she added.
The siblings vowed to stand with Pistorius as he faces his fate.
"We have a strong faith and we stand strong," Carl said.
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