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Oscar's neighbours were credible witnesses, court hears

Pretoria - Two couples who testified in murder accused Oscar Pistorius's trial were credible witnesses, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Thursday.

One of the couples lived in the same complex where Pistorius shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.

The other lived in a complex opposite that of Pistorius.

"What is in it for [them] to lie," prosecutor Gerrie Nel said in his closing arguments.

"There is no reason for them to lie."

Nel submitted that while the defence had argued that the witnesses had had an opportunity to all be together in the court's waiting room and possibly discuss matters related to the case, they made their statements separately and those all corresponded.

"They were good witnesses," said Nel.

Pistorius was charged with murder after he shot Steenkamp through the locked door of his toilet at his Pretoria home.

Pistorius has denied guilt, saying he thought the person in the toilet cubicle was an intruder about to open the door and attack him.

The State contends he shot her during an argument.

Pistorius is also charged with three contraventions of the Firearms Control Act, one of illegal possession of ammunition and two of discharging a firearm in public.

He has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

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