Athlete Oscar Pistorius was conditionally released from prison on Friday morning in the South African capital Pretoria.
South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services has not given any further details on the release of Pistorius, a famous Olympic runner with double amputee legs. He has served almost nine years of his 13-year, five-month sentence for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on February 14, 2013. His parole was approved last November.
In South Africa, serious offenders are eligible for parole after serving at least half of their sentence.
Television crews, photographers and reporters gathered outside the gates of the Atteridgeville Correctional Center to catch a glimpse of Oscar Pistorius.
He is initially expected to live in his uncle’s mansion in the upscale suburb of Waterkloof, where he lived during his murder trial and where he was under house arrest for a period in 2015 and 2016. Traffic barriers have were placed on a road leading to his uncle’s house.
Reeva Steenkamp’s mother June Steenkamp said in a statement that she had accepted Oscar Pistorius’ parole under South African law, while adding that her murdered daughter’s relatives are the ones serving a life sentence.
She added that her only desire is to be able to live out her remaining years in peace by focusing on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation.
Oscar Pistorius will live under strict conditions until the remainder of his sentence expires in December 2029. These conditions include restrictions on when he is allowed to leave his home, a ban on consuming alcohol and orders requiring him to complete anger management and violence against women programs. He will also have to carry out work of general interest.
He will also have to meet regularly with parole officers at his home and at corrections offices and will be subject to unannounced visits from authorities. He is not allowed to leave the Waterkloof district without permission and is prohibited from speaking to the media until the end of his sentence.
He could be sent back to prison if he violates any of his parole conditions.
Before the murder of Mme Steenkamp, Oscar Pistorius was considered an inspirational role model after having both legs amputated below the knee as a baby due to a congenital condition. He became a sprint champion on his carbon fiber racing blades and made history by competing in the 2012 London Olympics.
However, his murder trial destroyed his image.