Pistorius, jailed for five years last October for culpable homicide, the South African equivalent of manslaughter, will be eligible for release to house arrest having served a sixth of his sentence and shown good behaviour.
But the parole board at his prison overruled an emotional plea from the 29-year-old victim’s parents when it sat last week. In their submission, Barry and June Steenkamp said: “We have forgiven Mr Pistorius even though he took the life of our precious daughter, Reeva. Our lives will never be the same as we live with the sadness of her death every day.
“Reeva had so much to offer this world and we were all robbed of her life when she was killed. As her family, we do not seek to avenge her death and we do not want Mr Pistorius to suffer; that will not bring her back to us. However, a person found guilty of a crime must be held accountable for their actions.”
The Steenkamps added: “Statistics show that our society is under continuous attack from criminals and murderers. Incarceration of 10 months for taking a life is simply not enough. We fear that this will not send out the proper message and serve as the deterrent it should.”
