Oscar Pistorius offered cash to victim Reeva Steenkamp's family, court told

Oscar Pistorius offered $US34,000 to the family of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after he killed her, but the family rejected the funds because they did not want "blood money," it emerged yesterday.

The revelation was made at the sentencing hearing for the South African double-amputee athlete, while prosecutors also referred to separate monthly payments of $US550 that the Pistorius camp apparently made to Steenkamp's family, but said those would be paid back in full.

It came as prosecutors fiercely attacked the defence's picture of the 27-year-old "Blade Runner" as a caring and charitable athlete, hoping to persuade the court that he deserves to be jailed for killing his girlfriend last year.

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel said that Pistorius' charity work was nothing unusual for a superstar athlete, arguing he was primarily motivated by personal fame and fulfilling contractual duties with major sponsors, including sunglasses brand Oakley and sportswear firm Nike.

"It is merely an advancement of your career to become involved," Nel said in a scathing cross-examination of Pistorius's manager Peet van Zyl.

"I think a lot of sportsmen want to make a difference and contribute," replied Van Zyl.