Reeva Steenkamp’s father says Pistorius must pay for her murder

The father of the girlfriend of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius called on Tuesday for the runner to “pay” for the murder of his daughter, model Reeva Steenkamp, whose death devastated the family and left it in a difficult economic situation.

“You must understand why forgiving doesn’t exonerate you from the crime you committed,” said Barry Steenkamp, fighting back tears at the South African High Court, which began a hearing on Monday in Pretoria to determine the length of the athlete’s sentence.

Steenkamp was the first witness called by the prosecution to present evidence that could prolong the sentence of the athlete, who faces a minimum of fifteen years in prison for murder.

Reeva’s father explained the pain that the death of the model has caused him and his wife June, and the serious economic consequences it has had, as they were dependent on the money their daughter provided.

Pistorius, 29, killed Steenkamp by shooting her four times through the closed bathroom door of his home in Pretoria in the early hours of Feb. 14, 2013.