Johannesburg, South Africa – Oscar Pistorius, the South African Paralympic champion who was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, has been denied parole. The South African Department of Correctional Services announced on Friday that Pistorius will be eligible for parole in August 2024.
Pistorius, who rose to fame as a double-amputee athlete, was sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison in 2017 after being convicted of murdering Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013. He shot Steenkamp through a bathroom door in his home in Pretoria, claiming that he mistook her for an intruder.
The trial, which was broadcast live on television and drew international attention, sparked a national debate on gun control, domestic violence, and the treatment of women. The court ultimately found Pistorius guilty of murder, overturning a previous conviction of culpable homicide.
Pistorius, who is now 35 years old, has served more than half of his sentence in prison, but has been denied parole on multiple occasions. The latest decision by the parole board was based on the fact that Pistorius has not shown enough remorse for his crime, according to the Department of Correctional Services.
In a statement, the department said, “The Parole Board has considered all submissions, including the offender’s profile report, the impact of the crime on the victim’s family, and the interests of society. The decision to deny parole was based on the fact that Mr. Pistorius has not shown remorse for his actions.”
The decision was welcomed by the Steenkamp family, who said in a statement that they “remain committed to ensuring that justice is served.” They added, “We are pleased that the Parole Board has taken into account the impact that this crime has had on our lives and the lives of so many others.”
The decision was also praised by women’s rights groups in South Africa, who have long campaigned for justice for victims of gender-based violence. Nonhlanhla Mokwena, the spokesperson for the National Shelter Movement of South Africa, said in a statement, “We are pleased that the parole board has taken a firm stance against gender-based violence by denying parole to Oscar Pistorius. This sends a strong message that violence against women will not be tolerated in our society.”
The decision is likely to be a blow to Pistorius, who has been hoping to be released early from prison. In a recent interview with a South African newspaper, he said that he had been “broken” by his time in prison and that he was “ready to start a new chapter” in his life.
Pistorius, who was known as the “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fiber prosthetic legs, became a symbol of triumph over adversity when he competed in the 2012 London Olympics. He was the first double-amputee to compete in the games and reached the semifinals of the 400-meter race.
However, his life took a tragic turn when he killed Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, in 2013. The trial, which lasted for several months, was closely followed by the media and the public, with many people divided over whether Pistorius was guilty of murder or whether he had made a tragic mistake.
In the end, the court found him guilty of murder, saying that he had acted with “criminal intent” when he fired four shots through the bathroom door. The court also criticized Pistorius for being evasive in his testimony and for failing to take responsibility for his actions.
The Steenkamp family has said that they will continue to fight for justice.