Oscar Pistorius, a South African Paralympian, is set to be released from jail on parole 10 years after killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
The parole board's decision, delivered on Friday, confirms Pistorius has fulfilled the minimum detention requirement, allowing him to be parole-eligible under South African law.
Pistorius, once celebrated as the "Blade Runner" for his prowess in the world of track and field, will be released on January 5, 2024. This marks a significant development since his imprisonment following the tragic murder on Valentine's Day in 2013.
The double-amputee athlete, who claimed to have mistaken Steenkamp for a burglar, faced intense global scrutiny during the trial. Initially convicted of culpable homicide, Pistorius saw his charge elevated to murder after successful appeals by prosecutors. The subsequent sentence was 13 years and five months, leading to his continuous incarceration since 2016.
Pistorius made a parole bid in March, initially denied due to a miscalculation regarding the minimum detention period. However, a court correction paved the way for the recent hearing at the Atteridgeville Correctional Center.
The parole board, assessing Pistorius's overall condition, noted a "positive support system." A critical factor in the decision was a victim impact statement from June Steenkamp, Reeva's mother, who expressed concerns about Pistorius's rehabilitated behavior, particularly his "temper and abusive behavior towards women." Although not opposing his release, she emphasized the need for proper rehabilitation.
Pistorius's parole comes with stringent conditions, including five years of supervised release. The terms mandate attendance in an anger management course and prohibit him from leaving the Pretoria region without authorities' permission, according to the Department of Corrections spokesperson.
June Steenkamp, while not opposing the release, sees the imposed conditions as a victory for victim participation. Lawyer Tania Koen stated that she is "satisfied with the conditions imposed by the parole board because it means that they paid attention to what she was saying."
