The disgraced South African athlete, Oscar Pistorius, known as the ‘Blade Runner’ for his use of carbon-fiber prosthetic legs in competitions, has been released on parole from a South African prison. This comes 11 years after he shot and killed his former girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
In 2013, at the age of 27, Pistorius shot Steenkamp through a bathroom door in their home on Valentine’s Day, claiming that he had mistaken her for a burglar. He was convicted of murder in 2015 after an appeals court dismissed a prior verdict of culpable homicide. In 2017, he was handed a 13-year sentence after a trial and several appeals.
Pistorius, now 37, has served more than half of his 13-year sentence and has been released on parole, confirmed by South Africa’s Department of Corrections on Friday. Details of his release remain undisclosed due to security logistics.
As part of his parole conditions, Pistorius is prohibited from speaking to the media, banned from drinking alcohol, and required to undergo therapy for anger and gender-related violence issues until his sentence expires in 2029.
Under South African law, serious offenders are eligible for parole after serving at least half of their sentence. Pistorius was approved for release in November, following an initial bid for release last March, which was denied by a parole board stating that he had not yet served the minimum detention period.
Reeva Steenkamp’s mother, June, expressed her sentiments in a statement issued by her lawyer, emphasizing that no amount of time served will bring her daughter back, and those left behind are the ones serving a life sentence.
Once a celebrated athlete, Pistorius will reside at his uncle’s home in a wealthy suburb of Pretoria. While in prison, he engaged in various activities, including driving a tractor on prison grounds, working in the library, and assisting in cleaning other inmates’ cells. Pistorius, whose lower legs were amputated before the age of one, gained fame for his use of carbon-fiber prosthetics in athletic events, earning him the moniker ‘Blade Runner.’