Double-amputee sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, walked free from a South African prison on Friday morning, more than a decade after the tragic shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The case, which sent shockwaves around the world, has finally reached a new chapter with Pistorius’ release on parole.
Pistorius’ parole was granted in November 2023, meeting the legal requirement of serving half of his 13-year sentence for Steenkamp’s death. Despite facing intense scrutiny and public debate, the parole board determined that Pistorius had met the necessary criteria for release.
“Oscar Pistorius was released from Atteridgeville Correctional Centre, west of Pretoria, on Friday morning,” confirmed Singabakho Nxumalo, a spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services. “He will be subject to parole conditions until his sentence expires in 2029.”
While Pistorius begins his life outside prison walls, Reeva Steenkamp’s family is left to grapple with their enduring grief. In a statement released Friday, June Steenkamp, Reeva’s mother, expressed her unwavering pain and the impossibility of true justice.
“There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back,” June Steenkamp said. “We, who remain behind, are the ones serving a life sentence.”
The Pistorius case has been a rollercoaster of legal proceedings since the fateful Valentine’s Day in 2013. Initially convicted of manslaughter and receiving a five-year sentence, Pistorius’ conviction was later upgraded to murder, pushing his sentence to six years. After appeals from both sides, the Supreme Court of Appeal upped the sentence to 13 years and five months in 2017.
Pistorius became eligible for parole under South Africa’s “Restorative Justice” program, which allows inmates who have served half of their sentence and met certain conditions, such as good behavior, to reintegrate into society. This approach emphasizes rehabilitation and taking responsibility for actions.
While released, Pistorius’ freedom comes with restrictions. He will be under the supervision of the community corrections system and required to participate in programs addressing gender-based violence and anger management. Additionally, curfews, limitations on alcohol and drugs, and restricted media interactions will be part of his parole conditions.
The release of Oscar Pistorius marks a significant development in a highly publicized case. However, the emotions surrounding the tragedy remain raw, and the path to healing for all involved continues.