June Steenkamp told Hello magazine she "must" forgive Oscar Pistorius for killing Reeva Steenkamp
June Steenkamp told Hello magazine she 'must' forgive Oscar Pistorius for killing Reeva Steenkamp Getty

June Steenkamp revealed she has forgiven Oscar Pistorius for shooting dead her daughter Reeva Steenkamp.

The mother of model Reeva has attended most of the runner's murder trial in Pretoria, including harrowing testimony from him about killing her on Valentine's Day, last year.

June previously described Pistorius as a "devil" for blasting Reeva Steenkamp to death.

Speaking to Hello magazine, June said: "I don't hate Oscar. I've forgiven him. I have to - that's my religion."

She spoke of her battle to "reclaim" the memory of her daughter from the huge publicity triggered by her violent death and Pistorius' trial.

"I am determined to face him and re-claim my daughter," she said. "It's important for him to know that I'm there, that Reeva's mother who gave birth to her and loved her, is there for her."

June Steenkamp revealed she still speaks to her deceased daughter, more than a year after she died.

"I feel her presence and talk to her all the time. She'll only rest in peace when this is over. I trust that God will prevail and justice will be done.

"All we want is the truth."

Pistorius denies murdering Steenkamp and claims he thought she was an intruder in the bathroom of his luxury home in Pretoria. The prosecution say he deliberately killed her in a fit of rage following an argument between them.

The trial continues.