It has been almost 10 years after Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day and he is now eligible for parole.
According to new reports, Oscar Pistorius has been eligible for parole since July this year after the Supreme Court of Appeal corrected its ruling on Pistorius’ sentence. There was originally a mix-up when the judge did not take into consideration the more than 500 days that Pistorius had already spent behind bars.
According to reports, Reeva’s parents were shocked when Correctional Services approached them about Pistorius’ parole hearing. They were reportedly under the impression that he would only be eligble for parole in 2023.
The attorney representing the Steenkamp family said that the parents are willing to meet their daughter’s killer as part of the standard “victim-offender dialogue” process.
“There really are no winners here and this is an emotional time for everyone. No matter what happens here, Barry and June won’t get their daughter back. They have always maintained that the law must take its course and that remains their position. If he is eligible for parole, then that process needs to be conducted in the correct manner,” the attorney said.
The Department of Correctional services has confirmed that Pistorius’ parole process is underway but it has been delayed by logistical difficulties, which relate to Pistorius being jailed in Gauteng while the Steenkamp’s live in another province.
Pistorius himself is said to be very willing to meet with Reeva’s parents. He was first found guilty of culpable homicide in 2014, the matter was then taken to the Supreme Court of Appeal who overturned the verdict and convicted him of murder.
Pistorius shot Steenkamp several times while she was in the bathroom behind a locked door on the night of Valentine’s Day in 2013. He maintains that he believed he was shooting an intruder.
Sources: The South African, SABC
Follow FiND iT here.
ALSO READ: 19 days after Moti brothers kidnapping, family pleads for their release
