Paralympian and convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius will be released from the Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria on Friday, albeit under strict conditions.
This was confirmed by the Department of Correctional Services spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, who said the release affirms a decision taken by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) two months ago to place Pistorius on parole.
“Pistorius shall be admitted to the system of Community Corrections and will be monitored until the expiry date of his sentence in 2029.
An elevated public profile linked to Pistorius does not make him different from other inmates or nor warrant inconsistent treatment.
Consequently, the details in terms of transportation plans and time of release shall not be made public,” said Nxumalo.
He highlighted that disclosing such details, may result in a security threat to the athlete and other stakeholders involved.
Pistorius was found guilty of murder by the Pretoria High Court in 2014, after he shot and killed his then girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day in 2013.
He told the court that he shot her while she was standing behind his closed bathroom door, thinking that she was an intruder.
According to Nxumalo, Pistorius will be released under strict conditions which he has to abide with.
“He will be expected to be home at particular hours of the day.
He may not consume alcohol and other prohibited substances.
Just like other parolees, Pistorius is restricted from conducting media interviews,” explained Nxumalo.
He said in line with the victim-centred criminal justice system which prohibits the parade of inmates and parolees, “the media opting to camp outside any correctional facility may not be prevented from carrying out their work, as per their line of duty, but it would not be possible for them to get shots nor moving visuals of Pistorius.”
