Oscar Pistorius, the South African Paralympic champion, was released from prison after serving nine years for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. This highly publicized case has captivated the world's attention and raised questions about justice and accountability.
Pistorius was initially sentenced to five years in prison for culpable homicide, but the Supreme Court of Appeal later upgraded his conviction to murder. This decision sparked controversy and divided public opinion. Some argued that Pistorius had received a fair punishment, while others believed he should have faced a more severe sentence.
Pretoria and was processed at a parole office before being released to his family, Department of Corrections spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo told The Associated Press. Nxumalo, who referred to Pistorius’ release as an “operation” designed to avoid a media scramble, declined to give further details.
In 2019, South Africa ranked among the five countries with the highest rates of the murder of women, according to the United Nations.
This is why campaigners think an exception should be made for the perpetrators of these crimes to the country's normal rules around early release.
For Michael van Niekerk, the fact that Pistorius is now out of prison "feels like a kick to the gut".
He is the founder of Keep the Energy, an organisation that spreads awareness about violence against women, children and LGBTQ+ people in South Africa.
Van Niekerk fervently believes that those responsible for gender-based violence and murder should not be granted parole.
 bathroom door in his home in Pretoria on February 14, 2013. He has maintained that he did not kill her in a fit of anger during a Valentine’s Day argument, as prosecutors argued, and said instead he had mistaken her for an intruder.
The ruling was appealed by prosecutors who claimed the sentence was too lenient. Pistorius’ sentence was increased to 13 years and five months by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal in 2017.
Pistorius must also attend compulsory programs identified by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board and is restricted from conducting any media interviews, according to the South African Department of Correctional Services.
The murder trial of the six-time Paralympic gold medalist -- popularly known as the "Blade Runner," a name derived from the Carbon-fibre prosthetics he wore while racing -- was publicized around the world. Pistorius was initially sentenced to six years behind bars in 2016, but that later increased to 13 years and five months after prosecutors argued the prison term was too lenient.
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