LETTER: Object to disability excuse

AS a person with a disability, I strongly object that Oscar Pistorius’s disability should be a mitigation factor in his sentencing for murder.

At the age of 10 months I had polio in both my legs and, like Pistorius, I grew up with my disability that was no concern to me as I knew of nothing better.

In 1970 I was selected in a Springbok team to compete in France and the United Kingdom for swimming, and returned with one gold and one silver medal. I was again in the Paralympic team to the 1972 Paralympics in Germany and returned with a new world record in the men’s 100m freestyle and obviously my gold medal.

Since then I have been the national president of SA Sport for Physically Disabled. Winning my court case against the ministers of police services and public works to install a lift in the Kabega Park police station branded me as an activist for disabled persons.

Equal rights for persons with disabilities is what I fight for and we should not be treated differently at all, so if a court regards my disability as a mitigating factor to receive a lesser sentence, that is discrimination against me! Why should I be treated differently?

If such a precedent is set by this court, we will be mocked – “Ja, you crippled guys can get away with murder” – and it could also be a deciding factor for a person with a disability when he wants to commit a crime, hoping to get a shorter sentence.

Pistorius should carry the consequences for murdering Reeva Steenkamp and serve his time in full.

Oscar, John 8:32 in the Bible says: “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” – and not your R40 000per-day attorney.

Willie Bosch, Maitlands