Oscar Pistorius is ‘besotted’ with new girlfriend Rita Girling, 12 years after the former Paralympian tragically shot and murdered Reeva Steenkamp in South Africa.
The 38-year-old was once a household name and even ran in non-disabled events during his athletics career, with the runner even representing his country at the London Olympics in 2012.
But everything changed on Valentine’s Day in 2013, with Pistorius shooting four times through a locked toilet door. Three of the bullets hit Reeva and she was tragically unable to survive.
He never denied shooting the bullets but always insisted that he had mistaken Reeva for an intruder – and that her death was a tragic accident.
Initially, Pistorius was found guilty of manslaughter. However, in 2015, he was eventually convicted of murder despite always maintaining his innocence.
In January 2024, the man previously known as the ‘blade runner’ was released on parole. He has kept a low profile in the 18 months or so since and is believed to reside at his uncle Arnold’s mansion in Pretoria.
He was snapped out and about in 2024, with the images revealing Pistorius looking greyer and skinnier than at the peak of his athletics powers.
Earlier this year, he was snapped again with the 38-year-old taking part in a triathlon in the coastal city of Durban.
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It has previously been reported that Pistorius is now in a relationship with management consultant Rita, who is a devout Christian.
Now, the Daily Mail say that Pistorius and Rita are deeply in love – with the ex-Paralympian ‘besotted’ with his new partner.
The pair are set to regularly visit the Goddess Cafe in Waterkloof, which has been described as a ‘pink paradise’.
A source is quoted as saying: “You can’t imagine a less likely place to see Oscar Pistorius but he and Rita hold hands and look lovingly across the table at each other.
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Oscar Pistorius pictured following his release from prison last year
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GETTY“He is besotted with her. You can see they are deeply in love.”
Another insider says Pistorius wants to have children. They added: “He has said he wants to settle down and have kids. He sees it as the next step for them.”
But while Pistorius attempts to rebuild following his release, 12 years after ending Reeva’s life in the most horrifying of circumstances, her family continue to suffer.
Her mother June, who has made it her life’s work to advocate against male violence, recently suffered a stroke. She had been intending to move to the UK, where her own parents previously worked in a factory, but is now recovering in South Africa.
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Oscar Pistorius wants to have children with Rita Girling (pictured)
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INSTAGRAMA friend says there’s now a possibility she won’t ever remember Reeva. They told the publication: “It’s heartbreaking to think that she might not be able to remember what happened to Reeva.
“She is barely able to speak. It’s impossible to follow what she is saying or have a conversation.
“She doesn’t know her own name and doesn’t recognise people. She is seriously ill and the doctors cannot tell us yet the full extent of the damage to her brain.”
Family lawyer Tania Coen added: “It’s as if she’s gone back to the person she was before Reeva died.
“She was always a warm and loving person but now she smiles in a way she hasn’t smiled for so many years.”
June’s stroke came less than two years after the death of her husband, Barry.
Barry met Pistorius in prison and once made him swear on the bible that Reeva’s death had been a genuine accident.
The runner declined, however, with Barry later expressing a belief it was proof of his guilt.
June Steenkamp suffered a life-changing stroke earlier this year, with friends and family fearful she won’t ever remember her daughter Reeva
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GETTYThe family friend added: ‘It’s a cruel twist of fate that while Pistorius has been able to turn over a new leaf and embark on a new life, his crime has had a lifelong impact on June.
“He’s had a second chance but there was no starting again for June and Barry.”
All these years on, Pistorius dreams of a better future.
But, for June and other members of the Steenkamp family, their suffering only goes on.