This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65141013

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Oscar Pistorius denied parole in South Africa Oscar Pistorius parole bid collapses in South Africa
(about 1 hour later)
Oscar Pistorius is serving a 13-year sentence Oscar Pistorius, who was sentenced to 13 years in jail, will not be freed until August next year at the earliest
Oscar Pistorius, the former Paralympian who murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, has been denied parole in South Africa. Oscar Pistorius's bid for parole collapsed in South Africa after it was revealed he had not yet served enough time to qualify for early release.
The 36-year-old had been seeking early release 10 years after the Valentine's Day shooting. The 36-year-old former Paralympian is serving 13 years for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013.
But the prison authorities said he had not served enough time and they would consider the matter again next year. The parole board met to hear evidence, including from Pistorius and Ms Steenkamp's mother.
Ms Steenkamp's parents welcomed the decision, but said it was not a cause for celebration. But instead of giving a decision afterwards, embarrassed officials admitted their timings had been wrong.
"We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail," a family statement said. Earlier this week, they had received, but ignored, a letter from South Africa's top appeals court, which explained that Pistorius needed to spend another year and a half in prison before he could be considered for parole.
The six-time Paralympic gold medallist has expressed his deep remorse for killing his girlfriend in 2013, but continues to maintain he shot her by mistake, believing she was a robber. The hearing at Atteridgeville prison, a low-security facility in rolling fields just outside the city of Pretoria, should never have happened.
"I don't believe Oscar is remorseful… or rehabilitated," June Steenkamp, Reeva's mother, said before she appeared at the hearing at Atteridgeville prison, a low-security facility outside the city of Pretoria. For weeks, officials had insisted the amputee former sprinter was eligible to apply for parole, having served half his sentence.
Prisoners become eligible for parole in South Africa after serving half of their sentence. The confusion stems from the fact that Pistorius's time in prison has been broken up by appeals and by a period of house arrest.
Pistorius' family have told the BBC they are "seeking clarity" on rules after parole was declined on an unexpected technicality. There is disagreement about where to draw the halfway line.
Correspondents say confusion over the timing of his sentence comes as he was sentenced twice and spent time under house arrest. Pistorius's family have expressed dismay and are seeking legal clarification.
It has been an emotional day for the Steenkamp family, who have welcomed the fact that Pistorius will not be yet be freed.
Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at their home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day 10 years ago
"Today is not a cause for celebration. We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail," their statement said.
When June Steenkamp, Reeva's mother, spoke to reporters before the hearing she said she opposed the release of her daughter's killer: "I don't believe Oscar is remorseful… or rehabilitated."
The six-time Paralympic gold medallist has expressed his deep remorse for killing his girlfriend on Valentine's Day in 2013, but continues to maintain he shot her by mistake, believing she was a robber.
Pistorius was initially found guilty of culpable homicide and given a six-year term. But prosecutors launched an appeal, arguing this was too lenient.Pistorius was initially found guilty of culpable homicide and given a six-year term. But prosecutors launched an appeal, arguing this was too lenient.
The sentence was increased to 13 years as he was then convicted of murder, on the grounds that he must have known his actions - shooting three times through a locked bathroom door in his Pretoria home - would lead to the death of whoever was on the other side. The sentence was increased to 13 years as he was then convicted of murder.
This verdict was based on the grounds that he must have known his actions - shooting three times through a locked bathroom door in his Pretoria home - would lead to the death of whoever was on the other side.
The televised trial of the man once dubbed "the Blade Runner", because of the ground-breaking prosthetic legs he wore in both Paralympic and Olympic track races, attracted huge global attention.The televised trial of the man once dubbed "the Blade Runner", because of the ground-breaking prosthetic legs he wore in both Paralympic and Olympic track races, attracted huge global attention.
South Africa's prosecution team sought to prove Pistorius was an angry, violent man, with an unhealthy obsession with guns, who killed his 30-year-old girlfriend in a late-night rage. It now seems likely that he will not have an opportunity to leave prison before August 2024.
Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at their home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day 10 years ago June Steenkamp, arriving at the prison, said she did not believe Oscar Pistorius had been rehabilitated
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Oscar Pistorius
South AfricaSouth Africa