Reeva Steenkamp Foundation prays for Riana Pretorius’s safe return

The parents of Reeva Steenkamp are praying for the safe return of fellow Eastern Cape woman Riana Pretorius. UPDATE Fri 24 March: Gqeberha biokineticist Riana Pretorius found alive and unharmed

Like many South Africans, the family of Reeva Steenkamp – who was murdered by boyfriend Oscar Pistorius a decade ago – is praying for the safe return of kidnapped woman Riana Pretorius.

The Eastern Cape biokineticist was abducted in Newton Park, Gqeberha, on Thursday, 16 March.

But despite a ransom demand of R2 million and the arrest of two suspects, the young woman’s whereabouts remain unknown.

ALSO READ: ‘Forgave him, take it back’: Reeva’s parents reject Pistorius parole

REEVA STEENKAMP FOUNDATION OFFERS SUPPORT FOR RIANA PRETORIUS

On Sunday, 19 March, the family of Riana Pretorius hosted a prayer meeting for her safe return.

Hundreds of members of the local community gathered in the exact spot the young woman was abducted a few days prior.

Also offering their support were the parents of murdered model Reeva Steenkamp, June and Barry.

Reeva was shot and killed by her boyfriend, Oscar Pistorius, on 14 February 2013.

ALSO READ: ‘A wonderful story’: ‘Reformed’ Oscar Pistorius recruits gang leader

In a Facebook post, the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation – founded by her parents to assist the victims of gender-based violence – appealed to their following to pray for the young woman to be found.

It read: “We pray for the safe return of 26-year-old biokineticist Riana Pretorius…Our thoughts are with her family during this very traumatic and difficult time.”

OSCAR PISTORIUS PAROLE UPDATE

Meanwhile, the Steenkamps have expressed their disapproval of the possibility of their daughter’s killer – Oscar Pistorius – being granted parole.

Pistorius has become eligible to apply for parole after serving half of his 13-year and five-month murder sentence.

According to his lawyer Julian Knight, Pistorius will file a parole application later this month.

ALSO READ: Pistorius parole: Police fear ‘hitmen’ may avenge Reeva’s murder

But Reeva’s parents are strongly opposing it. Speaking to MailOnline, the Port Elizabeth couple claim the former athlete has shown “no remorse.”

Barry – who met with Pistorius in prison last year –  told the publication: “I told Oscar directly that he had shot my daughter deliberately, and he denied it. He stuck to his story that he thought it was an intruder.

“After all these years, we are still waiting for him to admit he did it in anger. That is all we wanted”.

ALSO READ: Last Valentine’s Day behind bars: Pistorius now eligible for parole

Barry added: “If he told me the truth, he would have been a free man by now, and I would have let the law take its course over his parole. But I was wasting my time. He is a murderer. He should remain in jail”.

June added: “I don’t think that he got enough time, and if somebody takes a life, they must pay with their life in jail.”