Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —
Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympic and Olympic amputee sprinter, was released from prison on parole on Friday, more than a decade after he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in a murder that shocked the world.
A parole board granted Pistorius' application in November on the grounds that he had served half of his 13-year sentence for Steenkamp's murder, making him eligible under South African law.
Singabakho Nxumalo, a spokesman for South Africa's Department of Correctional Services (DCS), told CNN that Pistorius was released from the Atteridgeville correctional center west of Pretoria on Friday morning. He is subject to probation until his sentence expires in 2029.
In a statement on Friday, Steenkamp's mother said her only wish for Pistorius' release was that she be allowed to live out her remaining years “in peace.”
“There can never be justice if your loved one never comes back and Reeva doesn’t come back after serving time,” June Steenkamp said. “We who stay behind are the ones serving a life sentence.”
Pistorius shot Steenkamp four times through a blocked ball He claimed on Feb. 14, 2013, that he did not kill her in a fit of rage during an argument on Valentine's Day, as prosecutors argued, but instead said he mistook her for an intruder.
During the trial, which drew worldwide attention, Pistorius pleaded not guilty to one count of murder and one count of firearms in connection with the killing of Steenkamp.
He was initially Convicted of manslaughter in 2014 and sentenced to five years in prison. But a higher court overturned the conviction and upgraded it to murder a year later, increasing his sentence to six years in prison.
The public prosecutor appealed against the verdict because the sentence was too lenient. Pistorius' prison sentence was increased to 13 years and five months by South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal in 2017.
Pistorius was eligible for parole in March 2023 under a law for inmates who have served half of their sentence and met conditions such as good behavior. The legislation is part of the country's “restorative justice” process, which gives offenders the opportunity to “acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions.”
According to DCS, Pistorius will serve the remainder of his sentence in the country's penal system.
He will have to attend gender-based violence programs and continue anger management therapy sessions, Portal reported, citing a lawyer for the Steenkamp family.
The DCS said in a statement on Wednesday that “general conditions of probation” will apply, including requiring Pistorius to be at home at certain times of the day. He is not permitted to consume alcohol or controlled substances and must participate in programs established by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board.
“Just like other parolees, Pistorius is prohibited from conducting media interviews,” the statement continued.
“The pain is still raw and real”
Steenkamp's mother was vocal in her criticism of his release. In a victim impact statement in November, she said that while she had forgiven Pistorius, she did not believe his version of events.
“At this point, I am not convinced that Oscar has been rehabilitated,” she said.
“Rehabilitation requires that someone honestly confront the full truth of their crime and its consequences. No one can feel remorse unless they are able to fully engage with the truth.
“If someone does not show remorse, they cannot be considered rehabilitated. If they are not rehabilitated, their risk of relapse is high.”
She also expressed concerns about the safety of other women after he was released on parole.
“I don’t know to what extent this behavior still exists or was evident during his incarceration, but I am concerned for the safety of every woman if this had not been taken into account in his rehabilitation.”
In her statement Friday, June Steenkamp described February 14, 2013 as “the day life changed forever.”
“Now, almost 11 years later, the pain is still intense and real, and my dear late husband Barry and I have never been able to come to terms with Reeva's death or the manner in which she died,” she said.
She said the conditions the parole board had imposed on Pistorius included anger management courses and gender-based violence programs.
The athlete – known as the “Blade Runner” because of his carbon fiber prosthetic legs – was once hailed as an inspirational figure for competing against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 Olympics.
He failed to win a medal, but Pistorius's presence on the track was hailed as a triumph over adversity and a victory over critics who claimed his blades gave him an unfair advantage over others.
At his second court appearance in 2016, the judge described him as a “fallen hero.”