Reeva Steenkamp's Burial

The funeral of model and law-school graduate Reeva Steenkamp – slain by her boyfriend Oscar Pistorius – was held in South Africa today amid anger and grief.

A memorial service took place in a chapel in her home town of Port Elizabeth, before her body was cremated at a private ceremony attended by more than 100 relatives and friends. Amid the grief, mourners at the funeral demanded punishment for her boyfriend, Oscar Pistorius who shot her several times leading to her death.

“Without a doubt he’s a danger to the public. He’ll be a danger to witnesses. He must stay in jail. He’s already shown how dangerous he can be for what he did to Reeva,” said Gavin Venter, an ex-jockey who worked for Steenkamp’s father.

“She was an angel, she was so soft, so innocent. Such a lovely person. It’s just sad that this could happen to somebody so good,” Venter said.

“It was a total shock. It is only sinking in right now,” said former classmate Bongiwe Gaxamba, 29.
“This is not acceptable and our women need to be protected,” said Troy Martens, a spokeswoman for the ruling ANC party’s Women’s League.

Reeva Steenkamp’s casket arrives ahead of her funeral ceremony in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Tuesday.

Reeva Steenkamp’s casket arrives ahead of her funeral ceremony in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013. Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius is charged with the premeditated murder of Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day. The defense lawyer says it was an accidental shooting.

The parents of Reeva Steenkamp, Barry (L) and June Steenkamp (2nd R, facing camera), arrive at the Victoria Park Crematorium ahead of a memorial service for their daughter in Port Elizabeth February 19, 2013. Steenkamp’s boyfriend, Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, has been charged with her murder. 

A relative of the late South African model Reeva Steenkamp holds the funeral ceremony program at the crematorium building in Port Elizabeth on February 19, 2013 after Steenkamp, 29, was shot four times in the early hours of February 14, 2013 by a 9mm pistol owned by South African sporting hero Oscar Pistorius. South African prosecutors on Tuesday told a bail hearing that Oscar Pistorius was guilty of ‘premeditated murder’ in the Valentine’s Day killing of his model girlfriend at his upscale home. 

Father of the late South African model Reeva Steenkamp Barry Steenkamp (2L) arrives at the crematorium building in Port Elizabeth on February 19, 2013 after Steenkamp, 29, was shot four times in the early hours of February 14, by a 9mm pistol owned by South African sporting hero Oscar Pistorius. South African prosecutors on Tuesday told a bail hearing that Oscar Pistorius was guilty of ‘premeditated murder’ in the Valentine’s Day killing of his model girlfriend at his upscale home. 

A mourner leaves after the memorial service for model Reeva Steenkamp at the Victoria Park Crematorium in Port Elizabeth February 19, 2013. Steenkamp’s boyfriend Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been charged with her murder.