Breakdown of Oscar Pistorius’ release offer in South Africa

Oscar Pistorius’ request for parole in South Africa collapsed after it was revealed he had not served enough time to qualify for early release.

The 36-year-old former Paralympian is serving 13 years for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

The parole board met to hear evidence, including from Pistorius’ mother and Ms. Steenkamp.

But rather than issue a ruling afterwards, the embarrassed officials admitted their timing was wrong.

Earlier this week they received, but ignored, a letter from South Africa’s High Court of Appeal, which made it clear Pistorius needed to spend another year and a half in prison before he could be considered for parole.

The hearing should not have taken place at Atteridgeville Prison, a maximum security facility in rolling fields outside the city of Pretoria.

For weeks, officials insisted the former amputee runner was eligible to apply for parole, having served half of his sentence.

The confusion stems from the fact that Pistorius’ time in prison was broken up by appeals and a period of house arrest.

There is disagreement about where to draw the center line.

The Pistorius family has expressed its displeasure and is seeking legal clarification.

It was an emotional day for the Steenkamp family, who welcomed the fact that Pistorius will not be released yet.

Their statement said, “Today is no reason to celebrate. We miss Riva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope she continues to win.”

When Reva’s mother, June Steenkamp, ​​spoke to reporters before the hearing, she said she opposed her daughter’s killer being released: “I don’t think Oscar has remorse…or been rehabilitated.”

The six-time Paralympic gold medalist expressed deep remorse for killing his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day in 2013, but continues to insist he shot her by mistake, thinking she was a burglar.

Pistorius was initially found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to six years in prison. But the plaintiffs filed an appeal, arguing that this was too lenient.

The sentence was raised to 13 years as he was found guilty of first degree murder.

This ruling was based on the understanding that he should have known his actions – shooting three times through a locked bathroom door in his Pretoria home – would result in the death of whoever was on the other side.

The televised trial of the man who was once dubbed “The Blade Runner,” because of the innovative prosthetic legs he wore in both Olympic and Paralympic races, has attracted significant worldwide attention.

It now appears likely that he will not have a chance to leave prison before August 2024.