Commission for Gender Equality vows to monitor Pistorius until sentence is complete

The commission’s remarks come after the announcement of the granting of parole to convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius.

Pistorius, who was granted parole on Friday, will be released on 5 January.

The 37-year-old appeared on Friday morning before the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board at the Atteridgeville Correctional Facility.

Pistorius shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013, firing four times through the bathroom door of his house in a security state in the east of Pretoria.

He was dating Steenkamp at the time of the killing.

Pistorius pleaded not guilty and denied killing Steenkamp in a rage, saying he mistook her for a burglar.

It was his second attempt at parole in less than eight months.

He lost a first bid in March 2023 when the board found he had not completed the minimum detention period required to be let out.

But the Constitutional Court later ruled that was a mistake, paving the way for a new hearing.

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says the parole placement decision was made following an assessment of his profile and other material submitted for consideration.

"Classified as a first-time offender with a positive support system, Oscar Pistorius’ parole placement is in line with Section 73 of the Correctional Services Act.

“Parole placement forms part of the total rehabilitation programme in correcting offending behaviour and may include the continuation of programmes aimed at reintegration whilst in the system of community corrections.”

Matotoka says the commission is concerned about the effectiveness of the rehabilitation programs at the country’s correctional facilities.

"The commission is particularly concerned around the various matters relating to gender-based violence and femicide committed by parolees.

"This brings into question the effectiveness of the rehabilitation programs at the correctional facilities. While this may not be the case for Pistorius, it is hoped that the conditions for his release will be adhered to without failure, particularly in the anger management program.

"The commission will continue to keep an eye on the matter until the sentence is completed."

Pistorius will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections and will be subjected to supervision in compliance with parole conditions until his sentence expires.

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