The case of Oscar Pistorius and the shocking murder of his then girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, will forever be one of the most tragic stories that not only rocked South Africa and the sports fraternity, but made headlines around the world.
Pistorius was once one of the most celebrated sportsman and personalities in South Africa, having achieved numerous gold medals at the Paralympic Games and made history by competing in the 2012 London Olympics, the first double-leg amputee to do so.
The celebrated career of the ‘blade runner’ – as he was known in relation to his prosthetic legs fitted from a young age due to a congenital condition – took a tragic turn on Valentine’s Day in 2013 when he shot and killed Steenkamp, at his Pretoria home.
He claimed he mistook her for an intruder, firing through a locked bathroom door, and initially he was found guilty of culpable homicide. However, this was later overturned on appeal, and he was convicted of murder in 2015.
After a series of legal proceedings and appeals, Pistorius was eventually sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison, but he was released on parole on January 5, 2024, after serving nearly nine years of his sentence.
Where is Oscar Pistorius now?
Under strict parole conditions that will last until the remainder of his sentence expires in December 2029, he is said to be living at his uncle’s multi-million rand home in Pretoria.
Pistorius has been keeping a low profile, but is said to have once again returned to a regular exercise programme, while also occassionally volunteering at a local church.
According to a recent feature from the Daily Mail, he also appears to have struck up a romantic relationship with a 35-year-old business management consultant who lives close by.
A source close to Pistorius previously told MailOnline: “He is trying to rebuild his life in a low-key way and avoids bars and restaurants and the general public and is flying under the radar.
“He is slowly trying to reintegrate into society but that is being done through families that his family have been close to for decades and is slowly slowly. The word on the street for three months now is that he is dating again.”
The conditions of his parole include restrictions on his movement, a ban on alcohol and prohibited substances, mandatory participation in rehabilitation programs, and a prohibition from speaking to the media.
His release has been met with mixed reactions, with some believing he has served his time, while others feel justice has not been fully served for Reeva Steenkamp.
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