Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after killing Reeva Steenkamp

[CharlieH]

 

Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been freed on parole from a South African jail, nearly 11 years after murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Officials confirmed Pistorius was "at home" on Friday morning, having served half of his more than 13-year sentence.

Ms Steenkamp's mother said she accepted the decision to release the former athlete - but added her family was the one "serving a life sentence".

Pistorius, now 37, shot Ms Steenkamp multiple times in 2013 through a door.

The double amputee later claimed he had mistaken her for a burglar.

Pistorius was eventually convicted of murder in 2015 after an appeal court overturned an earlier verdict of culpable homicide.

 

• What next for Oscar Pistorius?
• My friend Reeva Steenkamp

 

Parole conditions

Under South African law, all offenders are entitled to be considered for parole, meaning early release under certain conditions, once they have served half their total sentence, which for Pistorius was finally set at 13 years and five months.

Until his sentence expires in 2029, he will live under strict rules - confining him to the home for certain hours of the day, as well as banning him from drinking alcohol. He is also not permitted to speak to the media.

In addition, Pistorius will be required to have therapy to help deal with issues around gender-based violence and anger.

He is believed to have gone to live at the home of his uncle Arnold Pistorius in an upmarket suburb of the capital, Pretoria.

While in prison, Pistorius drove a tractor in the grounds, worked in the library and cleaned inmates' cells, according to legal documents cited by South African journalist Karyn Maughan.

Social workers and psychologists also wrote positive reports about him, she told the BBC's Newsday programme.

 

FULL STORY