Reeva Steenkamp’s Mother Reflects on Oscar Pistorius’ Parole Release
Former South African Paralympic and Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole after serving nine years for the murder of model Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
Reeva Steenkamp’s parents in distress during a court hearing.
Reacting to Pistorius’ release, June Steenkamp, Reeva’s mother, expressed the enduring pain the family feels, stating, “We are the ones serving a life sentence.”
Highlighting the impossibility of true justice, June Steenkamp shared:
“Has there been justice for Reeva? Has Oscar served enough time?
There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back.”
Pistorius, who shot Reeva Steemkamp through a locked bathroom door on Valentine’s Day in 2013, will be under correctional supervision until 2029.
Despite being allowed parole, Pistorius will face restrictions, including attending gender-based violence and anger management programs, abstaining from alcohol, and obtaining permission for travel or employment.
June Steenkamp lamented the family’s struggles, both emotionally and financially, due to the extensive media scrutiny surrounding the case.
Reflecting on the relentless attention, she stated, “We, who remain behind, are the ones serving a life sentence.”
The parole decision has reignited discussions about gender-based violence in South Africa. Bulelwa Adonis, a spokesperson for the advocacy group Women for Change, expressed concern, stating that releasing Pistorius early sends “the wrong message” to potential offenders.
Pistorius, once a celebrated athlete, initially faced culpable homicide charges in 2014 but was later found guilty of murder in 2016, receiving a six-year prison sentence.
The sentence was later increased to 15 years, minus time already served.
What we can learn from the Reeva Steenkamp case
As Pistorius returns to society, media outlets have gathered outside the gates of the Atteridgeville correctional centre in Pretoria.
Oscar Pistorious’s parole release has sparked debate about South Africa’s justice system.
Pistorius’s release prompts reflections on justice, gender-based violence, and the impact of high-profile legal cases on the lives of those involved.