Oscar Pistorius denied parole over 2013 murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

The former Paralympian was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the crime.

Oscar Pistorius was convicted of murder after fatally shooting his girlfriend four times through a toilet door. Source: AP / Alon Skuy

Key Points

• Oscar Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013.
• The former Paralympian was sentenced in 2016 for her murder.
• On Friday, the 36-year-old's parole application was denied.

Former South Africa Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, jailed in 2016 for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, has been denied parole, South Africa's prison authorities and a lawyer for the victim's family say.

Once the darling of the Paralympic movement for pushing for greater recognition and acceptance of disabled athletes, Pistorius shot dead Ms Steenkamp, a model and law student, in his bathroom on 14 February — Valentine's Day — in 2013.

The athlete, known as "Blade Runner" for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, went from public hero to convicted murderer in a trial that drew worldwide interest.

He was jailed in 2016, initially for a six-year term, but had that sentence increased to 13 years after an appeal by prosecutors who argued it was too lenient.

The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement on Friday that Pistorius, aged 36, had not completed the minimum detention period required to be considered for parole.

"Come August 2024, he would have reached the minimum detention period, then the (parole) board will make a decision," prison spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo told a media briefing.

"He will have to appear again next year. And then we look into the profile and make a decision in terms of his placement. But for now, it was a matter of saying he has not served the minimum detention period."

Ms Steenkamp's family had opposed the bid, their lawyer Tania Koen told Reuters.

"I've just received a call from the parole board. It is a huge sense of relief for June," she said, referring to Reeva's mother.

Reeva Steenkamp's mother, June, attended Oscar Pistorius' parole hearing on Friday. Source: AP / Frans Sello waga Machate

June Steenkamp had earlier said she was feeling nervous as she arrived at Atteridgeville prison near the capital Pretoria for the closed-door hearing.

"While we welcome today's decision, today is not a cause for celebration," Ms Koen said on behalf of Reeva's parents.

"We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail."

Pistorius' lawyer, Julian Knight, earlier told Reuters that Pistorius was due to appear before the parole board to answer questions based on Mr Knight's written submission arguing for his client's release.

Mr Knight had said he did not expect a decision on Friday. He was not available to comment after Pistorius was denied parole.

Oscar Pistorius (right) fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (left) on Valentine's Day in 2013. Source: AP / Lucky Nxumalo

The basis for his argument for Pistorius' parole consideration was that "there doesn't seem to be any negative factors precluding his being released on parole because he meets the requirements of the department in terms of their policies and procedures".

A gun enthusiast, Pistorius told his trial he had believed Ms Steenkamp was an intruder when he shot her several times through the bathroom door with ammunition designed to inflict maximum damage to the human body.

He met Ms Steenkamp's father Barry last year when participating in a process known as victim-offender dialogue — part of South Africa's restorative justice program that brings parties affected by a crime together in a bid to achieve closure.

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