Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee runner convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, will be issued on parole on January 5. Pistorius has been imprisoned since 2014, receiving an original term of 13 years and five months, which was later increased from his initial sentence. Despite being denied parole in March, he will be monitored until the end of his sentence on December 5, 2029. To be eligible for parole in South Africa, you must serve half of your sentence.
Who is Oscar Pistorius?
Oscar Pistorius, born on November 22, 1986, in South Africa, faced physical challenges due to a lack of fibula in his legs and other foot defects. He had his legs amputated below the knee at the age of 11 months. Despite these challenges, Pistorius achieved remarkable success, earning six gold medals in the T44 events for single below-knee amputees at the Paralympic Games in 2004, 2008, and 2012. He won gold medals in the 100, 200, and 400 meters, as well as another in the 4100-meter relay.
Oscar Pistorius earned the moniker “Blade Runner” for racing on specially designed carbon-fibre blades. Pistorius, the first twofold amputee sprinter to compete in the Olympics, reached the semifinals of the 400 meters in London in 2012, finishing last. During the Olympics, he also helped South Africa’s 4 x 400-meter relay team.
The Parole Decision
Pistorius, eligible for parole in 2021, faced several postponements in his release. Initially approved in March 2023, the decision was later overturned by the South African High Court, citing insufficient sentence served. However, after a reconsideration, the parole board granted his release in January 2024. The decision was based on Pistorius’ expressed remorse and notable rehabilitation progress.
The Crime
Pistorius shot Steenkamp four times by means of a locked bathroom door at his Pretoria home on Valentine’s Day 2013, claiming he mistook her for an intruder. Initially convicted of murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2015, the South African Supreme Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction in 2016. He was then found guilty of culpable homicide, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Pistorius received a new sentence of 13 years and five months in prison.
Conclusion
Pistorius’ release from prison is a contentious decision that has divided South African public opinion. Only time will tell if Pistorius can successfully reintegrate into society.
