Oscar Pistorius murder trial to start

The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius is set to begin on Monday, just over a year since he shot and killed his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentines day.

His defence has long argued that Pistorius accidently killed Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder.

But the prosecution maintain that the internationally known Paralympic athlete, murdered her in a fit of rage.

The case has attracted the gaze of international media outlets and has proven a contentious issue in South Africa.

Pistorius, dubbed the blade runner, made history in 2012, becoming the first double amputee track athlete to compete in the Olympics.

But now it is his off the track actions that dominate discussion, with his trial set to be broadcast live on TV.