Tension in the Oscar Pistorius case: the judiciary is considering probation

The planned probationary hearing for former top athlete Oscar Pistorius, who has been convicted of manslaughter, was followed with tension in South Africa on Friday.

Media from all over the world gathered in front of the prison. They hoped to catch a glimpse of the session behind closed doors in the capital Pretoria. It was initially unclear whether the hearing had already started.

Pistorius shot his then-girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp four times through the bathroom door of his villa on Valentine’s Day 2013. The 36-year-old has served about half of his prison sentence of 13 years and five months. Under South African law, this automatically entitles him to parole.

According to a statement by Pistorius himself, the probation committee wanted to interview the mother of the murdered Reeva Steenkamp. It’s a very stressful day, said mother June Steenkamp when she arrived in front of the prison building. “It will be very difficult with him [Oscar Pistorius] sitting in the same room,” she said to the cameras.

The Steenkamp family argues against early release. Pistorius has shown no remorse and there are still open questions that he did not answer in court at the time. “We never believed him,” said Steenkamp. Ten years later, the Steenkamps still mourned their daughter every day, says the parents’ legal representative, Tania Koen: “Time has not healed their wounds.”

According to the correction authority, the committee may not reach a decision on the same day. Should he not be paroled, Pistorius has the right to appeal. (aeg/sda/dpa)