In this week’s episode, Oscar’s father, Henke, shoots from the hip and tells the UK press that their family keeps guns because of the ‘white crime levels.’ Both the ANC and the Pistorius family condemn his comments.

I’m not sure how much money the Pistorius family are paying Vuma Reputation Management, but they should either pay them more or get a reality show deal, because this is playing out like something from the Kardashians (again). Or is it the Jerry Springer Show?

Last week, the Pistorius camp was lambasted by the public (read the comments sections here and here) for Oscar Pistorius’ overly public ‘private’ memorial service for Reeva Steenkamp, whom Oscar killed, allegedly by mistake, after shooting off four rounds through a bathroom door with a 9mm pistol.

Just on Monday our editorial team were remarking how the Pistorius camp were finally getting it right, and seemed to be learning that silence is quite clearly the best option during these first few weeks – a time where the press will clutch onto the smallest thing to keep the story alive.

But it looks like the press are spoilt for choice, as just this week Oscar’s dad, Henke, pumped out this gem to the British Telegraph:

Some of the guns are for hunting and some are for protection, the hand guns. It speaks to the ANC government, look at white crime levels, why protection is so poor in this country, it’s an aspect of our society.

You can’t rely on the police, not because they are inefficient always but because crime is so rife.

[more here]

So now the ANC have come out and condemned old Henke’s comments in the strongest terms:

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu told The Associated Press that it “rejects with contempt” any suggestion that the government doesn’t adequately protect white South Africans against crime.

“Not only is this statement devoid of truth, it is also racist,” Mthembu said in a statement. “It is sad that he has chosen to politicize a tragic incident that is still fresh in the minds of those affected and the public.”

[more here]

In a clear embarrasment reflex, the rest of the Pistorius family seem to mirror the ANC’s thoughts, giving the following statement (published on Oscar Pistorius’ own website):

Oscar Pistorius’s family is deeply concerned about the comments made by Oscar’s father, Henke Pistorius, to UK newspaper the Telegraph about the family using its weapons to defend themselves against crime in South Africa, and especially about his comments that the ANC government is not willing to protect white South Africans.

[more here]

We will have to wait and see what happens next. 

The saddest part of this whole thing is that Reeva Steenkamp is becoming a sideshow, as this mess plays itself out.