For the first time since he was sentenced to murder over the death of Reeva Steenkamp a decade ago, Oscar Pistorius will come face to face with her mother June, in his parole hearing on Friday, 31 March.
The former Paralympian is likely to be given an early release after serving half of his 13-year and five-month sentence.
But like her husband Barry, June will likely oppose Pistorius’s parole bid through her victim-offender statement and written representation.
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REEVA’S MOM LIKELY TO COUNTER OSCAR PISTORIUS PAROLE BID
According to the Steenkamp family lawyer Tanya Koen, June will attend the parole hearing of Oscar Pistorius at the Atteridge Prison in Pretoria, where he spent the majority of his sentence.
During it, the Correctional Supervision Parole Board will decide if Pistorius is fit to complete the remainder of their sentence outside of prison.
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The parole board will evaluate recommendations made by professionals like psychologists and correctional officers.
If her previous sentiments are anything to go by, June is hoping to halt the process with what is likely to be an emotional presentation before the parole board and Oscar Pistorius.
Images via Facebook: Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation/ GIANLUIGI GUERCIAAFP
Koen told Netwerk24: “We will make written representations, and June will also deliver her victim-offender statement in person.
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“June will tell the parole board what impact the events had had on their life. The parole board will then look at the information placed before them and decide whether the offender really shows remorse, has been rehabilitated, and would pose a danger to society if he is released.
“They will then make a decision if parole is granted or not.”
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‘HE SHOULD REMAIN IN JAIL’
It’s no secret that Reeva Steenkamp’s parents do not support Pistorius’s parole bid.
Speaking to MailOnline on the tenth anniversary of her death last month, June and Barry claimed that Pistorius has shown “no remorse.”
Barry – Reeva’s frail dad – claimed that Oscar has also refused to acknowledge his intent to kill the model. This, after he met with Pistorius last year as part of the Victim-Offender Dialogue, facilitated by the Department of Correctional Services.
Images via Instagram: @oscarpistorius
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The programme forms part of rehabilitating offenders who are being considered for parole. It seeks to offer closure for the victim’s family, and a means for the offender to seek forgiveness.
He told the publication: “I told Oscar directly that he had shot my daughter deliberately, and he denied it. He stuck to his story that he thought it was an intruder.
“After all these years, we are still waiting for him to admit he did it in anger. That is all we wanted”.
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Barry added: “If he told me the truth, he would have been a free man by now, and I would have let the law take its course over his parole. But I was wasting my time. He is a murderer. He should remain in jail”.
Meanwhile, June – who previously shunned Oscar’s meeting request – revealed that she still bore animosity toward Pistorius.
She said: “Oscar has taken a lot away from us and from her. So now, instead of getting upset, I get angry. I am angry with him. It is a horrible thing to say, but I can’t stand him.
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“I don’t think that he got enough time, and if somebody takes a life, they must pay with their life in jail.”
She added: “I did say that I forgave him before, but only because I am a Christian. I only forgave him because God would have wanted me to. I did back then . . . but I take it back now. He has done too much to us”.
