Former Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has applied to the Constitutional Court for parole eligibility, with the Steenkamp family’s attorney confirming the receipt of his application. Pistorius was convicted for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp in 2013 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He is currently serving his sentence at Atteridgeville Prison.
Steenkamp Family Chooses Not to Object
June and Barry Steenkamp, Reeva’s parents, have decided not to object to Pistorius’ application for parole. They are instead focusing on commemorating their daughter’s 40th birthday on August 19th and respecting the court’s decision.
Pistorius Seeks Clarification on Parole Eligibility
Pistorius is seeking clarification from the apex court on his eligibility to request parole board reconsideration. He was previously denied parole in March 2022 and is required to serve at least half of his 15-year sentence before being eligible for parole.
Discrepancies in Calculations of Pistorius’ Incarceration Period
There have been discrepancies in the actual duration of Pistorius’ incarceration so far. The parole board denied him parole, stating that he had not yet completed the minimum detention period mandated by the Supreme Court of Appeal. However, Judge Xola Petse, Acting President of the Supreme Court, clarified that Pistorius was sentenced to an effective term of 13 years and five months, including 12 months imprisonment and seven months of correctional supervision.
Pistorius Disputes Calculations and Files Application with Constitutional Court
Pistorius disputes the calculations and asserts that he is eligible for parole, having completed his designated time. He filed an application with the Constitutional Court to determine his parole eligibility, but he needs to obtain the court’s authorization first.
Respondents Contemplating Opposition to Pistorius’ Application
Pistorius has named Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola, the parole board, and the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre as respondents. These respondents intend to contest his application, but their grounds for opposition remain undisclosed until the deadline for their response.
As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen if the Constitutional Court will grant Pistorius the authorization to proceed with his quest for parole eligibility.
