South African Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius granted parole 10 years after killing his girlfriend

South African double-amputee Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius has been granted parole, marking a significant development in a case that has captured global attention for a decade. Pistorius, who was convicted of the murder of model Reeva Steenkamp in a tragic incident that occurred on Valentine’s Day in 2013, will be released from prison on January 5, 10 years after the fateful event.

The Department of Corrections spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, has outlined the conditions of Pistorius’ parole. He will be required to remain in the area of Pretoria, where he is set to live, without leaving unless authorized by authorities. Additionally, Pistorius will undergo a program aimed at addressing his anger issues, and he will be obligated to perform community service. These parole conditions are set to be in effect for a duration of five years.

It is crucial to emphasize that parole, in this context, does not signify the conclusion of Pistorius’ sentence; rather, it signifies a transition from a correctional facility to completing the remainder of his sentence in the community. Serious offenders in South Africa must serve at least half of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole, a requirement that Pistorius has fulfilled.

Oscar Pistorius, who recently turned 37, was at the pinnacle of his athletic career and was globally admired when the tragic shooting took place. He fired multiple shots through the bathroom door of his Pretoria villa, using his licensed 9mm pistol, resulting in the loss of Reeva Steenkamp’s life.

This recent parole hearing was Pistorius’ second attempt within eight months, as he was previously ruled ineligible for early release due to a procedural error related to the starting date of his sentence. Initially convicted of culpable homicide, equivalent to manslaughter, his conviction was later upgraded to murder after prosecutors appealed the decision. Subsequently, Pistorius received a sentence of 13 years and five months in prison.

At his murder trial, Pistorius claimed that he had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder in his bathroom, while prosecutors contended that she had sought refuge there during a heated argument, and Pistorius had acted recklessly. Ultimately, he was convicted of murder on the principle of dolus eventualis, which implies extreme recklessness resulting in the likely death of the person behind the door.

While Oscar Pistorius prepares to reenter society under parole, he is expected to reside at his uncle’s opulent residence in an affluent Pretoria suburb, where he stayed during his trial. This development marks the latest chapter in a case that has raised profound questions about justice, fame, and the consequences of one fateful night.

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More about Parole

• Oscar Pistorius: A Decade of Legal Battles
• Oscar Pistorius Granted Parole: What You Need to Know
• The Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial: A Timeline
• Understanding Dolus Eventualis in the Pistorius Case
• Reeva Steenkamp: A Life Remembered