South Africa: PR firm quits Pistorius camp

Oscar Pistorius AP FILE PHOTO

JOHANNESBURG— A South African public relations company says it will no longer represent Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee athlete charged with murdering his girlfriend.

Janine Hills, the head of Vuma Reputation Management, says the Pistorius family is in a “stronger position” to handle media issues, but that her company will continue to provide guidance.

Hills said in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday that a “handover process” had been underway since March 1.

Pistorius, who was freed from police detention on bail, shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day. He says he mistook her for an intruder. Prosecutors believe he shot her intentionally after the couple had an argument.