Photo: Profimedia

reeva pistorius Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius in a picture from November 2012, three months before the murder.

The story of the phenomenal athlete Oscar Pistorius, who in one moment turned from a national hero to an insidious murderer, is coming to life again.

The multiple Paralympic champion’s legal team believes their client has spent enough time behind bars in one of South Africa’s harshest prisons and should be free.

However, it will not be easy for a disabled runner who broke down barriers and competed with healthy athletes.

He must convince the commission that he has become a better person behind bars and that he has already left the image of an aggressive jealous man who shot a loved one in cold blood into the past.

Bloody Valentine

Fourteenth of February 2013, Valentine’s Day. Night falls on a luxurious neighborhood full of luxurious residences, families enjoy a peaceful Valentine’s evening. Four shots break the silence.

Although crime is high in Pretoria, people in the affluent part of the city are not used to shootings. Neighbors start to run out into the street in a panic, in the distance they can hear the honking of approaching police cars and emergency services.

“Everyone started gathering in front of Pistorius’ house. We thought he was the victim of an armed robbery. The version was spread that thieves shot to force him to hand over money and valuables,” recalled Amy Hill, a neighbor of the popular athlete at the time.

Photo: Profimedia

pistorius court Born Oscar Pistorius during the trial.

However, when she and other residents of the neighborhood learned what actually happened, she was horrified.

The victim was 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp, ​​who was shot by Pistorius with three shots from a 9 mm pistol through a closed door while she was hiding from him in the toilet. They were a couple for about half a year with an attractive graduated lawyer, who was one of the sought-after models at the time.

“I didn’t know it was her. I swear. I was thinking it was a thief who broke into the house,” he lamented as he was questioned by the police. “Our relationship with Reeva was not without problems, but we always managed to solve them. We loved each other and planned a future together,” he defended himself.

However, his version received more and more cracks as the investigation continued. Neighbors confirmed to police that arguments and shouting from Pistorius’ home were the order of the day.

Photo: Tim Hulme / PA Images / Profimedia

reeva model Reeva Steenkamp as a model for the South African version of People magazine.

His ex-girlfriend described him in court as an aggressive, jealous person with a penchant for guns, and he was also aggravated by the reconstruction of the fateful night, which proved that the assailant knew who he was shooting at.

It didn’t take long for the police to determine the official version – Pistorius shot Steenkamp in cold blood during a scene of jealousy.

Sports celebrity

The country was left in shock. The celebrated athlete was among the most popular celebrities on the African continent, his story thrilled the masses.

From a little boy who was born without a developed pin in both legs and underwent amputation of both limbs below the knees before turning one year old, he grew up to become a national hero thanks to hard work and unbreakable will.

As a Paralympian, he had no competition, but that was not enough for him.

At first, the athletic bosses were not enthusiastic about his intention to compete with healthy athletes. They banned him from starting, claiming that he uses the spring effect of the prostheses and has an advantage over his opponents.

However, the sports arbitration ruled in favor of Pistorius and he could start even more demanding training. In London 2012, he made history when he was the first runner with amputated legs to run at the Olympics with healthy colleagues.

Photo: Profimedia

Pistorius Olympics London Oscar Pistorius at the 2012 Olympics in London, where he ran with healthy athletes.

In the 400 m run, he managed to advance to the semi-finals and finally took the final 23rd place. “Superman with prostheses opened the door to the most important sports event for other disabled athletes,” wrote the world media.

However, everything he achieved on the ovals was overshadowed by his short circuit. He was initially sentenced to 6 years in prison for manslaughter, but a higher court found him guilty of the crime of murder and he received a 13.5-year sentence.

In the garden on a tractor

No prison is pleasant, but you wouldn’t want to be in the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility. Criminals are mainly imprisoned there for murder and rape.

In a country with deep-rooted racism and the struggle against apartheid (the policy of separate coexistence of people of different races, note) is still fading away, 90 percent of the prisoners are from the black population. “White” criminals are frequent targets of fights and bullying.

Pistorius was lucky to spend only two years in the infamous prison. He was transferred to the Atteridgeville facility, where he remains until now. He applied for parole for the first time in March, saying he had already served half of his sentence.

His lawyers say he deserves freedom for good behavior. However, the first request was rejected by the court, the second can be submitted by a prominent convict in the first half of next year.

“The final decision will be made by a committee made up of people who have monitored him since he arrived behind bars. Also, given the seriousness of his crime, they have to determine whether he has shown improvement and is mentally ready for a normal life,” says Benedict Phiri of a law firm in Pretoria.

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June Steenkamp, ​​the mother of murdered Reeva, is clear about guilt and punishment. Nothing will bring her daughter back, not even if Pistorius stays behind bars for life. For the man she considered a potential son-in-law a decade ago, she has only one message.

“Let him stop lying and confess. If he cleanses his heart and tells the truth, then he can go free. This situation has no winner. I lost my daughter, the country lost a national hero,” says Steenkamp.

Has Pistorius, who will celebrate his 37th birthday in a month, moved his conscience behind bars and will admit that
on the fateful night, he knew who he was shooting at, it is not yet known. There is a minimum of news about his current state of mind.

Photo: TASR, Martin Baumann

Pistorius OH Oscar Pistorius during the semi-final in the 400 m in athletics at the 2012 London Olympics.

One of his fellow prisoners revealed that the former sports star had put on a lot of weight and started smoking. The security service assigned her a job in the garden, where she often drives a tractor.

When the once celebrated athlete will be released is still in the stars. What is certain, however, is that in the real world a harsh reality awaits him.

The hero of the nation inspired thousands of people with his fight against a twisted fate, but subsequently disappointed millions. When news of his possible parole circulated, most South Africans were against it.

Murderer, no longer one of us, sounds the uncompromising voice of the street.

2023-11-05 21:22:30
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