Former Paralympian Oscar Pistorius who was convicted for the murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp has officially been released and is already at home. The Department of Correctional Services confirmed his release in a two-line statement stating that Pistorius was already home.
In 2014, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, found Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide after he shot and killed Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013, while she was behind his closed bathroom door.
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo released a statement saying: "The Department of Correctional Services can confirm that Oscar Pistorius is a Parolee effectively from 5 January 2024. He was admitted into the system of Community corrections and is now at home." Nxumalo had previously said the Department would not reveal the details of Pistorious's release as it would pose a security threat. "Consequently, the details in terms of transportation plans and time of release shall not be made public. Disclosing such details may result in a security threat for the inmate and other stakeholders involved. Therefore DCS has to carefully manage that particular risk," he said.
Nxumalo said Pistorius would not be treated differently from other parolees because he is a public figure. ?An elevated public profile linked to Pistorius does not make him different from other inmates nor warrant inconsistent treatment. This means that Pistorius shall be admitted into a system of community corrections and will be monitored until the expiry date of his sentence in 2029." Pistorius has been released to his uncle's mansion in Pretoria's posh suburb of Waterkloof, where he was kept under house arrest between 2015 and 2016.
In a statement, Reeva's mother, June Steenkamp, said she and her late husband Barry were never able to come to terms with their daughter's death. "Almost 11 years later the pain is still raw and real. Through the years Barry and I were encouraged by the love and messages of support from both friends and strangers. Part of our daily conversations were always flooded by the sorrow we felt for the parents and families of victims of perpetrators who were not brought to book. Our thoughts remained with them as they were denied any form of closure and the names of their loved ones were never recognised or honoured."June said she has always known that parole is a part of South Africa's legal system and said the law must take its course. "Oscar Pistorius's release on parole, subject to certain conditions has affirmed Barry and my belief in the justice system. The conditions imposed by the parole board, which include anger management courses and programs on gender-based violence send out a clear message that GBV is taken seriously. Has there been justice for Reeva? Has Oscar served enough time? There can never be justice if your loved one is not coming back and no amount of time served can bring her back and we who remain behind are the ones serving a life sentence,".
