Olympic Athlete Oscar Pistorius to Be Released on Parole After Killing Girlfriend

Former South African Olympic track star Oscar Pistorius is set to be released on parole more than 10 years after murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.

According to USA Today , Singabakho Nxumalo, the spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa, revealed Pistorius, 37, is expected to be released from prison on Jan. 5, 2024. However, per his conditions, he will not be allowed to leave the city of Pretoria, where he will live following his release, without permission from authorities.

He must also do community service and attend a program for his anger issues. The conditions will be set in place for five years, the Department of Corrections said.

“Parole does not mean the end of the sentence. It is still part of the sentence. It only means the inmate will complete the sentence outside a correctional facility,” Nxumalo explained.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usC9Fg5IafA

This was Pistorius’ second parole hearing in the span of eight months.

According to Justice.gc.ca , "South African law provides minimum sentences of imprisonment for a relatively small range of serious offenses, including murder, rape, robbery and serious economic crimes."

Pistorius earned the nickname "Blade Runner" for his carbon-fiber leg prosthetics , which he used to compete in the London Olympics in 2012. He made history as the first amputee runner to compete, via History .

In 2013, Pistorius was arrested for killing his then-girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, 29, at his home in Pretoria, South Africa on Valentine's Day. He admitted to fatally shooting her four times through the bathroom door with a licensed 9mm pistol. He claimed he mistook her for an intruder, according to USA Today.

In March 2014, he was charged with premeditated murder and pleaded not guilty during his infamous trial which received heavy media coverage.

In September of that same year, Pistorius, who was 27 at the time, was found guilty of culpable homicide, which is equal to manslaughter, and was sentenced to 13 years in prison, via NPR .