JOHANNESBURG — Prior to his arrest and conviction for the murder of his model girlfriend, Oscar Pistorius was a revered figure in South Africa and an inspiration to many globally.
Pistorius, who underwent lower leg amputation as a baby, had risen to fame as an Olympic sprinter, earning the nickname “Blade Runner” for his use of advanced prosthetics.
Now, at the age of 37, the athlete is once again under the public eye as he was released from prison on parole on Friday.
Pistorius fatally shot Reeva Steenkamp through the locked bathroom door of his Pretoria mansion on Valentine’s Day in 2013, claiming he mistook her for a home intruder. Despite his self-defense plea, he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison after a highly publicized trial.
Upon serving half of his sentence, Pistorius walked out of Pretoria prison, stepping into an uncertain future. Reeva Steenkamp’s family, along with the prosecution, portrayed him as a macho and jealous man who cold-bloodedly killed his girlfriend during an argument.
While known for his athletic achievements, Pistorius was also associated with model girlfriends, fast cars, guns, and parties. During his prison term, his father mentioned that Pistorius was studying the Bible.
He is expected to be monitored at his uncle’s house in Pretoria until the completion of his sentence in 2029, as per the South African Department of Correctional Services. The conditions include adhering to specific hours at home, abstaining from alcohol and prohibited substances, and participating in mandatory programs.
Despite concerns about his rehabilitation and potential threat to women, Pistorius was granted parole. One of the mandated programs involves therapy for gender-based violence issues, reflecting South Africa’s efforts to address violence against women.
While June Steenkamp, Reeva’s mother, did not oppose parole, she expressed doubts about Pistorius’s remorse and the authenticity of his version of events. The parole conditions, particularly those related to gender-based violence courses, send a strong message against violence towards women, according to Tania Koen, the Steenkamp family’s lawyer
