Oscar Pistorius released on Parole after 11 Years for Reeva Steenkamp’s murder

South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been granted parole, marking nearly 11 years behind bars for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The former athlete, who shot Steenkamp multiple times, claimed he mistook her for a burglar. Pistorius, now 37, had served more than half of his 13-year sentence.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions, as Steenkamp’s mother expressed acceptance of the parole but emphasized that her family was the one enduring a life sentence.

Pistorius will face strict parole conditions, including home confinement during specific hours, a ban on alcohol consumption, and mandatory therapy for gender-based violence and anger management until his sentence expires in 2029.

Known as the «blade runner» for his success on the track at both the Paralympics and the 2012 London Olympics, Pistorius achieved global fame.

The tragic murder of Steenkamp in 2013 shifted public attention, resulting in a series of trials and legal proceedings.

While the parole board highlighted Pistorius’s positive behaviour during his imprisonment, the release is expected to spark discussions on justice, accountability, and the impact of high-profile cases on the legal system.

Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old law graduate, model, and TV presenter, was shot by Pistorius through a door in the early hours of February 14, 2013.

Despite Pistorius’s initial conviction of culpable homicide, an appeal court later changed it to murder, emphasizing inconsistencies in his version of events.

Steenkamp’s family, acknowledging the parole as part of the legal process, emphasized that no amount of time served would bring her back.