Oscar Pistorius Granted Parole: Release Date Set Amid Lingering Concerns and Tragic History
Former Paralympic champion oscar Pistorius is set to be released on parole nearly 11 years after the tragic murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Convicted for shooting her multiple times on Valentine’s Day in 2013, Pistorius claimed he mistook her for a burglar at their Pretoria home.
In 2016, Pistorius was sentenced by a South African court to serve 13 years and five months in prison. The parole board has now decided on his release, scheduled for January 5, 2024. Once released, the 37-year-old will be monitored by authorities until his sentence officially expires, akin to other parolees.
During the parole hearing, concerns about Pistorius’s unresolved anger issues were raised, prompting the requirement for therapy sessions. Reeva Steenkamp’s mother, while not opposing his release, expressed worries about the safety of other women coming into contact with Pistorius.
This marks Pistorius’s second parole hearing, with the first attempt failing in March due to an incomplete detention period. South African law entitles all offenders to be considered for parole after serving half their total sentence.
The tragic incident occurred in 2013 when Pistorius, a world-renowned athlete known as the “blade runner,” fired multiple shots through a bathroom door, resulting in Steenkamp’s death. She was 29 years old, a law graduate, successful model, and TV presenter.
The case, marked by a series of trials and convictions, captivated the world’s attention. Pistorius’s lower legs were amputated when he was less than a year old, and he went on to achieve fame as a Paralympic gold medalist competing against non-disabled athletes at the London 2012 Olympics.
