The one time Paralympian icon and pride of South Africa, Oscar Pistorius has been denied parole after serving half of a 13-year stretch for murdering his partner Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius shot dead the beautiful model and law student, in his bathroom on St. Valentine’s Day in 2013 in what he alleged was a reaction to an intruder, which was subsequently argued against in his trial which had attracted worldwide interest.
The athlete, known as “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs was jailed in 2016, initially for a six-year term, but had that sentence increased to 13 years after an appeal by prosecutors who argued it was too lenient.
The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement on Friday that the 36, had not completed the minimum detention period required to be considered for parole.
“Come August 2024, he would have reached the minimum detention period, then the (parole) board will make a decision,” prison spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo told a media briefing.
“He will have to appear again next year. And then we look into the profile and make a decision in terms of his placement. But for now, it was a matter of saying he has not served the minimum detention period.”
Steenkamp’s family had opposed the bid, their lawyer Tania Koen told Reuters.
“I’ve just received a call from the parole board. It is a huge sense of relief for June,” in reference to Reeva’s mother.
