Oscar Pistorius verdict: 'There are no victors in this tragedy,' uncle says after athlete freed on bail

He will be sentenced on 13 October for culpable homicide

Arnold Pistorius, the uncle of Oscar Pistorius, listens to Judge Thokozile Masipa deliver her verdict on 12 September. (Reuters)

Oscar Pistorius’ uncle has said there were “no victors” in his nephew’s trial after the athlete walked out of court on bail after being convicted of culpable homicide.

The Olympian was reportedly cheered by a crowd of fans as he made his way through the media scrum surrounded by security.

Judge Thokozile Masipa found him guilty of the South African equivalent of manslaughter on Friday after ruling that was insufficient proof to convict him of premeditated murder.

Calling the killing “negligent”, she accepted Pistorius’ defence that he believed she was an intruder and later allowed him to leave the court on bail until his sentencing on 13 October.

Speaking after the verdict, his uncle Arnold Pistorius, said the family never doubted the Paralympian.

Oscar Pistorius leaving court on bail on 12 September (AP)

“We always knew the facts of the matter and we never had any doubt in Oscar's version of this tragic incident,” he said.

"We respect the fact that the legal process is not over and must always be run in the course of justice and futhermore, a tragic event like this has no victors...we as a family remain deeply affected by this devastating tragic event."

He said it would be “inappropriate” to make any further comments while the case continued but thanked Judge Masipa, saying the family were “grateful”.

“It won't bring Reeva back but our hearts still go out to Reeva's family and friends,” Mr Pistorius added.

The 29-year-old model and law graduate, died almost instantly after she was shot four times in the head, arm and hip through the toilet door.

Pistorius is facing 15 years in prison for culpable homicide and five more for firing a gun in a crowded restaurant in January 2013.

But there is no minimum sentence for either offence and critics fear he may be given a non-custodial sentence like community service or a fine.

He was acquitted of another charge of discharging a firearm in a public place because of “poor” evidence and cleared of possessing ammunition for an unlicensed firearm.

Reeva Steenkamp's family have not yet made a public statement.