Convicted killer Oscar Pistorius is being considered for parole, eight years into his imprisonment for killing his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, the Department of Correctional Services has confirmed.
The Olympic star may soon meet Reeva’s parents as part of the parole process, having served half of his 15-year jail sentence.
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed that Steenkamp’s parents have been contacted about the potential parole, reports The Star.
“The Department of Correctional Services can confirm its engagement with the family of the late Reeva Steenkamp on a matter involving inmate Oscar Pistorius,” Nxumalo.
He said Reeva’s parents, Barry and June Steenkamp, have been approached for the Victim-Offender-Dialogue.
This would entail a meeting between the family and Pistorius.
“The department introduced Victim-Offender-Dialogue (VOD) in November 2012, with an aim of strengthening the Department’s rehabilitation interventions geared to change the behaviour of offenders, and place the victims at the centre of the criminal justice system,” Nxumalo said.
Reacting to reports that the department has not dealt with the Steenkamp’s with sensitivity, Nxumalo denied this and said: “It was necessary that the Steenkamp family be approached and this was done with utmost care as the victims must be prepared before they participate in the VOD. This is done by our specialists (social workers, psychologists and spiritual care-givers) in order to ensure that appropriate care is afforded as this can be a sensitive, emotional and inconsolable engagement.”
Pistorius shot and killed Reeva through a closed bathroom door at his Pretoria home on Valentines Day in 2013, claiming that he thought she was a burglar.