Oscar Pistorius, girlfriend-killer Paralympic star to be freed on parole after 11 years

Oscar Pistorius, Paralympic champion blade-runner,  is scheduled to be released on parole on January 5, 2024, almost 11 years after the tragic murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius, who was convicted in 2016 for shooting Steenkamp through a bathroom door on Valentine's Day 2013, claimed he mistook her for a burglar. The South African parole board determined the release date, emphasising that Pistorius would be subject to monitoring by authorities and mandatory therapy sessions upon release.

While Reeva Steenkamp's mother, June Steenkamp, did not oppose Pistorius's parole, she expressed concerns about his "huge anger issues" and questioned whether they were adequately addressed during his prison term.

In a letter to the parole board, she conveyed potential concerns for the safety of women coming into contact with Pistorius. Despite not attending the hearing due to the emotional strain, Mrs Steenkamp highlighted the immense toll on her late husband, Barry, who passed away earlier this year.

Barry Steenkamp had previously met Pistorius face-to-face as part of the rehabilitation process, and Mrs Steenkamp, while noting the lack of remorse from her daughter's killer, stated that she forgave him long ago to avoid clinging to anger for her survival.

Pistorius's parole hearing follows a previous bid that was rejected in March, citing incomplete detention periods. The Constitutional Court later ruled this as a mistake, leading to the recent parole hearing.

As Oscar Pistorius faces release, lingering questions surround the adequacy of his rehabilitation and the potential risks associated with his history of violence.

The parole decision prompts reflection on the challenges of balancing justice, rehabilitation, and concerns for public safety in high-profile criminal cases.