South Africa’s Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole after ten years in Prison for murdering his former girlfriend.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in South Africa confirmed that Oscar Pistorius would be a parolee effective Friday January 5, 2024, through a media alert.
However, Pistorius will remain subject to parole conditions until his sentences expire in 2029.
Following his release, June Steenkamp, the mother of the late Reeva Steenkamp, released a moving statement recounting the journey she had walked since the death of her daughter.
“On 14th February 2013, the day life changed forever. The day South Africa lost its hero, Oscar Pistorius, we lost our precious daughter, Reeva, at Oscar’s hands,” she said in her statement.
According to the statement, life has never been the same to her especially after the death of her husband.
She added that no jail sentence would serve as justice for departed daughter. According to her, no amount of time served in jail would hand her comfort for losing her daughter.
“There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back,” she said.
“No amount of time served in jail would bring Reeva back, we who remain are the ones serving a life sentence.”
June, however, says she has always known that parole is part of the South African legal system, and that they have always advocated that the law must take its course.
Further, she affirmed her confidence that the conditions recommended by the Judiciary were a message that gender based violence is taken seriously in the country.
“Oscar Pistorius’s release on parole, subject to certain conditions, has affirmed Barry and my belief in the South African justice system. The conditions imposed by the parole board, which includes anger management courses and programs on gender-based violence, send out a clear message that gender based violence is taken seriously,” her statement reads.
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Living with Peace
Nonetheless, she said that with the release of Oscar Pistorius on parole, her only desire is that she will be allowed to live her last years in peace with her focus remaining on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation, to continue Reeva’s legacy.
Further, she thanked the public who supported her through the years, the media and all the friends who stood by them.
Appreciations
“A special thank you to Advocate Gerrie Nel, Advocate Andrea Johnson, Advocate Dup de Bruin, the investigating team, Advocate Annade-Theart Hofmeyer, my daughter Simone, and Tania Koen who has guided and protected Barry and I through the years,” she added.
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About Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius is a South African former professional runner who earned fame due to his prowess in athletics.
Both of his feet were amputated when he was 11 months old as a result of a defect. But he went on to win the love of his nation after flying its flag in international competitions.
Pistorius ran in both nondisabled sprint events and in sprint events for below-knee amputees. He was the 10th athlete to compete at both the Paralympic Games and Olympic Games.