Oscar Pistorius moved to Gqeberha for Steenkamps dialogue
The Department of Correctional Services on Monday confirmed the transfer of convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius from a prison in Atteridgeville to St Albans, west of Gqeberha.
Spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says the transfer will allow him to start engaging the family of Reeva Steenkamp as part of the victim-offender-dialogue.
Pistorius, who is currently serving time for killing his girlfriend in 2013, is eligible for parole after serving half of his 13-year sentence for murder.
Nxumalo says it is important to clarify that the dialogue is not a parole placement process but takes place prior to an offender being considered for parole.
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This process is of a very sensitive and emotional nature as it forms part of Pistorius' path to rehabilitation wherein he is able to acknowledge the harm he has caused to his victims and society at large.
Reeva's parents June and Barry Steenkamp live in Gqeberha, which is why Pistorius was transferred to St Albans.
It is not yet clear when these dialogues will take place.
The process was launched exactly nine years ago in an attempt to assist offenders to be re-integrated into society.
According to Correction Services, the philosophy of the dialogue is informed by the constitutional obligation that the offender is a citizen, a human being who has strayed from his or her path and must be assisted by the corrections system to rehabilitate and return to the path of good citizenship.
