OSCAR PISTORIUS UP FOR PAROLE

It’s been eight years since South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius says he mistook Steenkamp for a burglar when he shot her several times through the bathroom door in his home in Pretoria.

The double-amputee was eventually convicted of the model’s murder in 2015 and was sentenced to 13 years and 5 months in prison.

South African law prescribes that a person who has been convicted of a crime like Pistorius’ can become eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence. But, before his parole hearing, Pistorius has to meet with Steenkamp’s parents.

This is because under the country’s victim-offender dialogue policy, the Steenkamps have the right to insist on meeting with him face-to-face.

NBC News reports that the Steenkamps have previously said they want to challenge Pistorius on why he shot their daughter and they would get to do that, with victim-offender meetings aimed at achieving some kind of closure for families of victims of crimes.

Once the meeting between the Steenkamps and Pistorius has taken place, the Steenkamps can make suggestions to the parole board.

Due to Barry Steenkamp’s health, Pretorius might be transported to their hometown in the Eastern Cape for the meeting. A date has not been set.

Image credit: South China Morning Post