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Social media users turned to Twitter on Sunday, February 14 to commemorate the death of model Reeva Steenkamp, who was killed eight years ago on Valentine’s Day.

In 2013, 29-year-old Steenkamp was killed by her partner, Oscar Pistorius, in his home in Pretoria. Pistorius shot Reeva through the bathroom door, claiming he thought she was an intruder. He was first convicted of culpable homicide and later the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned this conviction and convicted him of murder.

The trial grabbed the attention of followers throughout the world and was televised globally. Pictures of her bloodied body were too much for most to handle and her family were tortured by details of her untimely death.

Steenkamp was a well-known public figure, she modelled for FHM and became the first face of Avon South Africa. She also worked as a paralegal and had applied to the bar in 2011, aiming to become a qualified lawyer.

Since her death, Steenkamp has come to represent the horror of the gender-based violence pandemic in South Africa. Intimate partner violence is among the most common forms, with women being abused or murdered by their partners with alarming frequency.

Her death has again become the topic of discussion as Pistorius is soon to be considered for parole in 2023. This has angered many who don’t believe he should be released.

Also Read: Steenkamp family describes Oscar Pistorius parole decision as “profoundly unfortunate”

Steenkamp family describes Oscar Pistorius parole decision as “profoundly unfortunate”

 

Picture: @2021Africa/Twitter

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