Oscar Pistorius, a disgraced ex-track star, met last month with Reeva Steenkamp’s father. He was the one who murdered his ex-girlfriend in 2013.
Barry Steenkamp met Oscar on June 22, 2022, for the Victim Offender Dialog,” the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation said Saturday in a Facebook statement. June Steenkamp Steenkamp, Reeva’s mother, ran the trust and thanked South African officials who helped to organize the meeting.
Tania Koen, the Steenkamp family lawyer, confirmed that the meeting took place and informed NBC News via email that Pistorius, age 35, participated in it. This is an integral part South Africa’s restorative Justice program.
This program allows victims of crime and their families to meet with offenders before parole is granted.
Koen released a statement saying that she could confirm that Barry Steenkamp, Oscar Pistorius and a victim-offender dialog took place on 22 June 2022. Koen stated that she would not comment further on behalf of her clients as it was in the client’s privacy. Pistorius was 11 months old when he was diagnosed with a congenital condition. His legs were amputated below his knees.
After being fitted with prosthetic legs made of carbon-fiber, he became a worldwide celebrity on the track. He earned the nickname “Blade Runner” and millions in endorsements.
Pistorius then shot Steenkamp (a 29-year old law student and model) through the bathroom door to their luxurious home in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital.
After a lengthy and dramatic trial, and many appeals, he was convicted in 2015 of her murder and sentenced to 13 year and five months imprisonment.
Pistorius was eligible for parole in 2012, but a hearing was cancelled because he had not met with the Steenkamps.
After serving most of his sentence in Pretoria’s prison, he was transferred to Gqeberha in the south, where he lived with the Steenkamps, before meeting Barry Steenkamp.
According to The Associated Press, Pistorius will attend a parole hearing at which correctional service officials will decide if he will be released earlier.
Singabakho Nxumalo was a spokesperson for correctional services and stated in a statement, that Pistorius’ participation at the victim-offender dialog does not equate to either an end of sentence or parole.
