14 DAY TRIAL // A spokesperson for athlete Oscar Pistorius has released a statement denying rumors of the athlete and murder suspect parting hard in Johannesburg.
According to the Christian Post Africa, Pistorius's presence at a local pub after being released on bail for repeatedly shooting his girlfriend has sparked outrage in the community.
The Paralympian has reportedly been spotted drinking and flirting during a meeting with several people outside his family.
“The place went quiet when people realized it was Oscar and (the mood) never really recovered from there,” the manager describes in an interview for a local paper.
The manager also recalls Pistorius “being flirtatious” throughout his time at the pub, leaving other patrons discontent.
The athlete's publicist Anneliese Burgess detailed that her client was forced to leave the establishment once “public interest became overwhelming.”
“He has been out of the house with family, but this was the first time he went out to a restaurant with people other than close family,” she states.
Burgess also argued that false reports emerged following what was supposed to be a quiet evening with friends.
“It is regrettable that what was supposed to be a low-key evening reconnecting with friends is now being blown out of proportion for sensational reasons,” she noted.
The incident comes less than one week after the Pistorius family have asked social media users to allow them their grieving time.
The statement cites the “disregard that is being shown by some ... for the profound pain that Reeva’s family and friends are going through.”
“Reeva's family, and everyone who loved her, are constantly in their [the Pistorius family's] prayers,” Burgess mentioned at the time.
The press release also included details about “supportive” Twitter groups bashing Reeva Steenkamp to aid the athlete's cause.