South African former Paralympic icon Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole nearly 11 years after the tragic murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in a case that deeply shook the nation.
The Department of Correctional Services confirmed Pistorius’s parole, stating, “Oscar Pistorius is a parolee, effective January 5, 2024. He was admitted into the system of Community Corrections and is now at home,” marking the next phase of his rehabilitation.
Pistorius, known as “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, had maintained that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, leading to the fatal shooting on Valentine’s Day in 2013. Despite his repeated appeals against his conviction, the parole board decided in November to release him after completing more than half of his sentence.
The Steenkamp family lawyer shared June Steenkamp’s sentiments regarding the release: “There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back. We, who remain behind, are the ones serving a life sentence.”
Pistorius faces stringent parole conditions, including supervision until December 2029, mandatory therapy for anger management, and participation in gender-based violence sessions, all aimed at his rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
June Steenkamp praised the imposed conditions, affirming her faith in the justice system’s stance on gender-based violence: “The parole board’s conditions send a clear message that gender-based violence is taken seriously.”
Despite his former status as a Paralympic hero and advocate for disabled athletes, Pistorius’s fall from grace and subsequent legal battles have stirred varied reactions among South Africans. Some argue that his time served is sufficient, while others find the punishment too lenient for the severity of the crime.
Pistorius’s journey from sporting glory to a convicted murderer and now a parolee illustrates the complex interplay between the justice system, rehabilitation, and societal perceptions of justice and punishment.
