Barry Steenkamp (rear) does not want 'blood money' from Oscar Pistorius (front)
Barry Steenkamp (rear) does not want 'blood money' from Oscar Pistorius (front) Getty

Oscar Pistorius has been quietly paying Reeva Steenkamp's family compensation but they do not want his "blood money," it has emerged.

Convicted killer Pistorius has been handing over every month thousands of Rand - South African currency. The 27-year-old also offered June and Barry Steenkamp the proceeds from the sale of his car.

But the cash offering has been rejected by the grieving couple, who consider it "blood money." Prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court in Pretoria they intended to hand back "every cent" to Pistorius - a total of £6,200.

Pistorius meant it as a gesture of his deep remorse over their daughter's violent death, said his legal team. A lawyer for Steenkamp's parents said payments had been received for 18 months.

Dup De Bruyn told reporters in Pretoria: "The Steenkamps don't want any money and there will be no civil case, they want closure."

Barry Steenkamp spoke recently of his wish to meet face-to-face with his daughter's killer, who shot dead the model in a hail of gunfire last year.

Pistorius made initial efforts to meet June and Barry Steenkamp in the wake of Reeva's death, but they rebuffed him at the time. That caused mental torment for the fallen track idol, said a health expert in court this week.