Oscar Pistorius, the South African former Paralympic athlete who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, will be released on parole in January 2024, according to the Department of Correctional Services.
Pistorius, who was known as the “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, shot and killed Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013 at his Pretoria home. He claimed he mistook her for an intruder.
He was initially sentenced to five years in prison for culpable homicide in 2014, but the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned the verdict and found him guilty of murder in 2015. His sentence was increased to 13 years and five months in 2017, after the prosecution appealed for a longer term.
The Department of Correctional Services said that Pistorius had served half of his sentence by March 2021, making him eligible for parole. He had also participated in a victim-offender dialogue with Steenkamp’s father in 2022, as part of South Africa’s restorative justice programme.
The parole board will consider Pistorius’ case in December 2023, and will decide whether to grant him parole or not. If he is released, he will have to comply with certain conditions, such as attending counselling sessions, performing community service, and wearing an electronic monitoring device.
Pistorius’ case attracted global attention and sparked debates about domestic violence, gun control, and disability rights in South Africa. He was once a public hero as a Paralympic champion who competed in the 2012 Olympics. He won six gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal in various sprint events. His fall from grace was seen as a tragedy by many of his fans and supporters.
However, he also faced criticism and controversy for his temper, arrogance, and reckless behaviour. He was involved in several incidents, such as firing a gun in a restaurant, driving at high speed, and threatening a rival athlete. He also had a turbulent relationship with Steenkamp, who was a model and a law graduate. They had been dating for three months before the fatal shooting.
Steenkamp’s family and friends have expressed their grief and anger over her death and have called for justice and accountability. They have also raised awareness and funds for various causes, such as women’s rights, animal welfare, and education. They have said that they will never forgive Pistorius for what he did, and that they hope he will show remorse and repentance.