The parole board of South Africa has approved the early release of Oscar Pistorius, the ex-sportsman who was imprisoned for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
On February 14th 10 years ago, Pistorius fired shots through a bathroom door in his shared home in Pretoria, killing his partner Steenkamp who was a law graduate and model. He stated that he believed there was an intruder in the bathroom when he pulled the trigger.
The South African correctional services department announced on Friday that he will be released on January 5th, as he was found suitable for social reintegration by the parole board. He has spent eight and a half years in prison and an additional eight months on house arrest.
Prior to Steenkamp’s killing, Pistorius was a celebrated national figure for his success in winning Paralympic medals and for being the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics.
The murder brought him notoriety, and a lengthy string of legal proceedings and appeals sparked global discussion on violence against women and the concept of justice.
June, the mother of Steenkamp, pleaded with the parole board to prioritize the safety of women in their decision-making process. She emphasized that Pistorius has never acknowledged that he deliberately harmed Steenkamp.
In her victim impact statement, she expressed her disbelief in Oscar’s claim that he mistook the person in the toilet for a burglar. She stated that she does not know anyone who believes his version. She also mentioned that her child, whom she holds dear, screamed for help loudly enough for the neighbors to hear.
I am unsure of the reason behind his decision to fire four rounds of hollow-point bullets through a closed door, knowing that it was Reeva.
She stated that she was not persuaded that Pistorius had been successfully reformed, but she would not object to his release if authorities chose to do so.
Barry Steenkamp, the father of late June Steenkamp, passed away in September. He did not participate in the parole hearing on Friday, stating that he lacked the emotional strength to confront [Pistorius] after the loss of his spouse.
Rob Matthews, whose daughter was killed in 2004, read a statement to reporters outside the prison where the parole hearing took place. He has since become friends with the Steenkamp family.
During the 2014 trial, the judge determined that Pistorius was responsible for culpable homicide, which is similar to manslaughter. The ruling was based on the lack of evidence indicating that Pistorius intended to kill Steenkamp.
The decision sparked a strong reaction, as women’s advocacy organizations cautioned that it conveyed a concerning message regarding the worth of women’s lives.
The verdict was overturned after prosecutors challenged it, leading to Pistorius being found guilty of murder in the highest court. This was based on the legal concept of dolus eventualis, indicating that he displayed a high level of carelessness and should have been aware that the person behind the door would likely be killed.
The initial verdict was six years of imprisonment, which was less than half of the minimum sentence of 15 years requested by the prosecutors. However, in 2017, the supreme court deemed this sentence to be excessively mild and increased it to 15 years, with credit for time already served.
Numerous advocates advocating against gender-based violence and abuse within intimate partnerships argue that the granted parole for Pistorius is still too brief and criticize the decision.
Criminal behavior expert Laura Richards expressed her disapproval on X for a recent decision, stating that the mandate for Pistorius to undergo anger management classes was “ridiculous” and showed a lack of understanding of coercive control.
David Challen, an activist, expressed his disgust over the situation, also on X. He stated that this reflects the lack of value justice systems place on the lives of women who are killed by men.
Pistorius, who turned 37 this week, was at the height of his fame when he killed Steenkamp. A double amputee below the knees from 11 months old, he was nicknamed the “blade runner” for the cutting-edge carbon-fibre prosthetics that he wore in races, and he converted his success into lucrative endorsement contracts and sponsorship deals.
During the trials, the prosecution presented evidence of another aspect of his life which included possession of firearms, hostile confrontations, and accusations of violence towards previous romantic partners, aside from Steenkamp. He was also convicted of recklessly discharging a firearm in a restaurant.
He is anticipated to reside in his uncle’s residence in a affluent neighborhood of Pretoria, where he resided during his trial for murder.
The parole terms will be in effect for the next five years until his sentence ends on December 5, 2029. These terms will require him to participate in programs addressing anger management and violence against women, as well as fulfill community service obligations.
According to a spokesperson from the corrections department, the individual will be required to stay in Pretoria and must notify the authorities of significant changes in their life, such as relocating or obtaining employment.
This report includes contributions from Reuters and Associated Press.
Source: theguardian.com
