By Lehlohonolo Lehana..
A date has been set for the convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius’ parole hearing, which will decide whether he can be released after serving half of his 15-year sentence.
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 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.”
Pistorius was born with a congenital condition that led to both his legs being amputated below the knee when he was a baby.
He became a multiple Paralympic sprinting champion running on carbon-fiber blades, and even qualified to compete against the world’s best able-bodied athletes at the 2012 London Olympics.