Oscar Pistorius will be released on parole in August, according to new reports. The Paralympic champion has been serving time in jail since October, after he was convicted for the culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Oscar was sentenced to five years in prison, but a family friend who did not wish to be named has now told Reuters that the athlete could be on probation as early as 21 August – just ten months into his prison term.
Under South African law, he would be eligible for release under "correctional supervision", having served a sixth of his sentence.
Under South African law, Oscar Pistorius will be eligible for release after serving a sixth of his prison term
"Oscar will be released on parole by the end of August," the insider told Reuters.
Last September, the 28-year-old was found guilty of culpable homicide as well as one firearm-related charge after he discharged a gun in a restaurant.
The following month Oscar received a prison sentence of a maximum of five years for culpable homicide by Judge Thokozile Masipa.
The Paralympian, who shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, was given five years for culpable homicide
While prosecutors applied to appeal the verdict, calling the sentence "inappropriate" and "shockingly light", the late Reeva's parents spoke to HELLO! magazine after the trial, saying they were relieved after the verdict.
"It was the best sentence we could have expected," Reeva's mum June told HELLO! in an exclusive interview.
"I believe Oscar expected to go to prison. He was almost resigned to what was coming," said Reeva's mum June Steenkamp
"We're not looking for vengeance or for him to get hurt; we're just happy because he's going to be punished for what he's done," she said. "He may come out early on good behaviour, but by the time he's served that time, it will have taught him that he can't go around doing things like that."
The author, whose daughter Reeva was shot dead on Valentine's Day in 2013 in the home Reeva shared with Oscar, added: "I believe Oscar expected to go to prison. He was almost resigned to what was coming. It was obvious in the court from his manner; he was calm and wasn't performing."
