PRETORIA, South Africa – Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been granted parole after serving nearly 11 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius, now 37, shot Steenkamp multiple times in 2013 and later claimed he had mistaken her for a burglar. Despite his high public profile, the former star will be treated like any other parolee, following strict conditions such as being unable to speak to the media.

Pistorius has been released to live under strict conditions at the home of his uncle in an upmarket suburb of Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. However, Steenkamp’s mother expressed her acceptance of the decision to release Pistorius while emphasizing that her family is the one left “serving a life sentence”. The decision to release Pistorius has brought mixed emotions to the victim’s family as they continue to grieve the loss of their loved one.

Under South African law, all offenders are entitled to be considered for parole once they have served half their total sentence, which, for Pistorius, was finally set in 2017 at 13 years and five months. Steenkamp’s mother welcomed the conditions imposed by the parole board, which include anger management courses and programs on gender-based violence. Additionally, Pistorius is not permitted to drink alcohol and is confined to his home for certain hours of the day.

Pistorius’s lower legs were amputated when he was less than a year old, and he later became a world-renowned athlete known as the “blade runner”. His successful career on the track, including competing in the 2012 London Olympics, was overshadowed by the tragic events of that fateful night in 2013.

The release of Pistorius on parole comes after several legal battles and significant media attention. Despite his release, questions remain about justice for Reeva Steenkamp and whether Pistorius has served enough time for his crime. The parole board’s decision has sparked discussions about the South African justice system and the impact of such high-profile cases on the victims’ families.

In summary, Oscar Pistorius’ release on parole has reignited public scrutiny over the South African justice system and raised questions about the adequacy of his sentence for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp. The decision has prompted reflection on the impact of such high-profile cases on the victims’ families, who continue to grapple with the loss of their loved one.