TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from South Africa: EWN, News24.
UK coverage: Daily Mail.

Oscar Pistorius, the disgraced Paralympian, has been released on parole after serving eight years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed the news on Friday.

Pistorius will be living with his uncle, Arnold Pistorius, in Waterkloof, Pretoria, for the duration of his parole. His parole conditions have not been made public, but the DCS has said that he must adhere to certain restrictions and attend programmes and courses focused on anger management and gender-based violence.

June Steenkamp, Reeva’s mother, released a statement saying that she and her now deceased husband had always known that parole was part of South Africa’s justice system. She added that the parole conditions imposed on Pistorius had affirmed their “belief in the South African justice system”.

Pistorius was initially convicted of culpable homicide by Gauteng High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa for repeatedly shooting Steenkamp through his toilet door on Valentine’s Day 2013. He remains adamant he believed the law graduate and model, who would have turned 40 last year, was an intruder. After two State appeals, Pistorius was eventually sentenced to 13 years and five months behind bars for murdering Steenkamp, under the principle of dolus eventualis, in that he must have foreseen that whoever was behind his toilet door – whether an intruder or not – would die as a result of his actions.

The family of Steenkamp, who have never accepted Pistorius’ claim that he thought he was shooting at an intruder, are devastated by his release. Pistorius, who will be under heavy restrictions and supervision, has refused to admit guilt and apologize to the family, which they believe would be a worthless gesture without an admission of deliberate murder. There are also concerns for Pistorius’ safety, as criminal figures may seek revenge against him.

Pistorius managed to evade the media, with his release going undetected until mid-morning, when it was announced in a statement. According to the Department of Correctional Services, he was at the time of the statement already home. His parole continues until December 2029.