Oscar Pistorius was in the headlines again this past week when it was announced that his parole application was set to be heard on Friday, 31 March 2023. As reported, ahead of the parole hearing:
Read more: Tweeps Have Not Forgiven Oscar Pistorius
Read more: Tweeps Have Not Forgiven Oscar Pistorius
Oscar is currently serving jail time for the 2013 murder of his then-girlfriend Steenkamp. The athlete was sentenced to 13 years behind bars in 2016 for shooting and killing his Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
Oscar was initially sentenced to six years but the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned his sentence. He has served half of his sentence and he believes that he is eligible for parole.
"I humbly submit that I have done everything in my power to rehabilitate, to conduct myself in such a manner as to constantly comply with prison rules, to show full remorse," he said according to a statement published by News24, Pistorius told the judges.
As such, there was interest in whether or not Oscar would be awarded parole. More so as it was alleged that Oscar was already offered a 9 to 5 job as further incentive for the judge to grant him parole. However, this did not seem to make a difference as the verdict has already been delivered.
Oscar Pistorius’ Parole Denied
Taking to social media, SABC confirmed that after Oscar Pistorius’s parole hearing, the judge has decided to deny the application to grant Oscar parole. Moreover, it shared that:
“Reeva Steenkamp’s family members earlier said they are baffled as to why the Correctional Services Parole Board is holding a hearing for Oscar Pistorius before they have fully recovered from their loss.”
One organisation that will be happy to hear that Oscar’s parole was denied was the controversial women-empowerment non-profit Women For Change. This is as the organisation was part of those of the public that were against Oscar even getting a hearing as they took to social media to campaign against his parole hearing.
Tania Koen, attorney for the Steenkamps, explains that the family was made aware of the hearing by the Department of Correctional Services and, based on the rights afforded to the families of victims, the Steenkamps can attend the hearing and deliver written submissions to oppose the parole application if they so choose.
We are standing with June and Barry Steenkamp and we oppose the parole application of Oscar Pistorius, as he has failed to admit his guilt or show any remorse for the murder of Reeva. In order to advance change in our society, we need to hold perpetrators accountable.
Image credit: ZAlebs