Oscar Pistorius holds private memorial service for Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius pictured during his bail hearing (AP)

Oscar Pistorius is due to hold a private memorial service for Reeva Steenkamp, the 29-year-old model he shot at his home on St Valentine’s Day. The service was planned at the Pretoria home of his uncle Arnold, where the Olympic athlete has been staying since he was released on bail awaiting trial on a premeditated-murder charge.

Pistorius’s reputation-management firm said the sprinter had specifically requested the service “as he remains in deep mourning for the loss of his partner, Reeva”, whom he says he shot by accident assuming an intruder had entered his home on 14 February.

“Oscar has asked for a private service with people who share his loss, including his family members who knew and loved Reeva as one of their own,” Vuma Reputation Management said in a statement.

A week ago, a memorial service was held for Ms Steenkamp in her home town of Port Elizabeth, where her body was cremated following a private service.

It was unclear what Pistorius’s service would consist of or how many people would attend, though Ms Steenkamp’s housemates confirmed they would not be going. Vuma said Pistorius “continues to grieve” for her. Vuma spokeswoman Janice Hills would not give any further details about the ceremony, saying it was “a private matter for the family”.