Convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius was supposed to attend an application hearing this Friday, with the hope of being considered for parole, but his application was removed from the roll.
The former Paralympian will continue to serve time in jail after his parole application was mysteriously removed from the roll.
Pistorius is serving a 13 years and five months jail sentence after he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on 14 February 2013.
According to a report by Beeld, Pistorius was supposed to attend an application hearing on Friday. However, his application was reportedly removed from the roll “in agreement with the department of correctional services”.
According to South African law, offenders become eligible for parole after serving half their sentence. The parole hearing does not necessarily mean the offender will automatically be granted an early release. It means that the offender will be considered.
Singabakho Nxumalo, the correctional services spokesperson told TshisaLIVE: “The department wrote to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein seeking clarification on the minimum detention period for inmate Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius.
“There has been a number of orders issued and it becomes important that clarity is sought to ensure that, just like all other inmates, Oscar Pistorius’ rights are not negatively affected.
“A minimum detention period to be served by an inmate is an important milestone in the rehabilitation journey of those in our care, as it also serves as a cardinal point for one to be considered for parole placement and this has to be done at the right time.
“A case being enrolled in court and subsequently withdrawn has to be clarified with lawyers for the inmate.”
Oscar’s attorney Julian knight refused to confirm the report, saying he needs to take instructions.
“Basically, we are attempting to settle the matter with the department to pave the way for consideration of Oscar’s parole.”
He denied that legal action would be taken over the delay.
According to Tania Koen, the attorney of Reeva’s parents Barry and June, the family was not aware of the developments.
Koen told Beeld that they were “just as in the dark” as the public.
According to Atteridge prison, where Pistorius spent the majority of his sentence, he will only become eligible for parole in March 2023.
Source: The South African, Times Live, image from Twitter: @rylicsmag
