Oscar Pistorius parole hearing set for March

The former Paralympian star, who shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, is expected to appear before the parole board on March 31.

The hearing will decide whether Pistorius is eligible for release on parole after serving half of his 15-year sentence.

The disgraced athlete was convicted of murdering  Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013.

While Pistorius admitted to shooting Steenkamp through a toilet door, he told the court it was a case of mistaken identity.

Pistorius claimed he thought she was an intruder.

Lawyer Tania Koen, who represents Reeva’s parents Barry and June Steenkamp, says the two have every intention of participating in Pistorius’ parole hearing.

"The process is that on the day the parole board will convene, then the families of the victims, which is June and Barry, may attend the hearing either in person or they may also give written representations.

“The parole board will consider those representations together with all the other reports that they have in front of them to make a decision on whether they should release the offender on certain conditions.”

Koen would not say whether the Steenkamps would oppose Pistorius’ parole application.

"Any offender in South African law, who has served a certain portion of their sentence, is entitled to be considered for placement on parole. The Steenkamps have always said and accepted that Oscar Pistorius, as any offender, has the same rights in terms of our law.”

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