OSCAR PISTORIUS TO BE RELEASED IN JANUARY

Former Paralympian Oscar Pistorius will be released from prison on 5 January 2024.

In 2016, Pistorius was sentenced to 13 years and five months for the murder of his then-girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

The Department of Correctional Services said on Friday that Pistorius will be monitored by authorities until his sentence officially expires.

As part of his parole deal, he will have to notify his parole officer if he wants to move house or get a job until his sentence is complete. Pistorius will also have to attend mandatory therapy sessions.

This wasn’t Pistorius’ first parole hearing. In March his first parole bid failed because he hadn’t yet completed the minimum detention period. Soon after, it was ruled by the South African Constitutional Court that it had been a mistake.

This led to his second parole bid which has now been declared successful.

Reeva’s mother, June released a statement that was read out during the release announcement.

It said that although June Steenkamp wasn’t opposed to the release, she was concerned about Pistorius’s “huge anger issues” and whether they were dealt with in prison.

She added that she’s “concerned for the safety of any woman” who comes in contact with him.

Image credit: The Times