Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympian, has completed his parole release from a South African jail, concluding his incarceration nearly 11 years after he tragically murdered his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Authorities confirmed on Friday morning that Oscar Pistorius , now 37, is “at home” after serving half of his 13-year and five-month sentence. His release comes with strict conditions, including a ban on speaking to the media, and will continue until his sentence concludes in 2029.
Pistorius, a double amputee, gained worldwide recognition as the “blade runner” with a successful career in Paralympics and competing against non-disabled athletes at the 2012 London Olympics. However, his life took a dark turn when he shot Steenkamp multiple times in 2013, claiming he mistook her for a burglar.
After a lengthy legal process, Pistorius was convicted of murder in 2015, overturning an earlier verdict of culpable homicide. In 2017, South African law established his total sentence, rendering him eligible for parole.
While Pistorius is now back in society, Steenkamp’s mother, June Steenkamp, expressed acceptance of the parole decision but emphasized that her family is the one enduring a perpetual “life sentence.” She questioned whether justice had truly served her daughter and pondered the adequacy of Pistorius’s time behind bars.
Mrs. Steenkamp acknowledged that parole is part of the legal system but reiterated that the pain of losing a loved one never fades. She welcomed the parole board’s conditions, including anger management courses and gender-based violence programs, expressing faith in the South African justice system.
Despite his public profile, the Department of Correctional Services affirmed that they would treat Pistorius like any other parolee, confining him to his home during specified hours and imposing restrictions on alcohol consumption and media communication.
