Oscar Pistorius met dad of ex Reena Steenkamp as part of bid to be released from prison for her murder
OSCAR Pistorius has met the father of his victim, ex-girlfriend Reena Steenkamp, it has emerged.
Pistorius, 35, was convicted of murdering 29-year-old Reeva in 2015 and sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison.
The athlete – who was known as the Blade Runner – became eligible for parole under South African law after serving half his sentence.
In order to qualify for release, prisoners must “acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions”.
A lawyer for Reena’s parents June and Barry Steenkamp said Pistorius took part in a process known as victim-offender dialogue.
Tania Koen confirmed Barry Steenkamp and Pistorius “participated in a victim-offender dialogue on June 22, 2022″ but said she would make no further comment.
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The department of correctional services said Pistorius had been transferred back to a prison near the capital Pretoria.
He had previously been incarcerated at a jail in eastern Cape, near where Steenkamp’s parents live.
Spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo, said Pistorius will continue serving his sentence as participating in the victim-offender dialogue does not mean a sentence will end or parole be granted.
At the end of last year it emerged Pistorius sent a “distressing” letter to the Steenkamps.
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They described the the Paralympian’s gold medalist’s letter as “like ripping a Band-Aid off a wound”.
The couple’s lawyer Tania Coen would not disclose the content of the letters.
“It was quite emotionally distressing for them. They did not know it was coming and it was sent to me by his attorney,” she said.
The Steenkamps had said they want a face-to-face meeting with Pistorius before he is considered for early release from prison, as is their right under the victim-offender dialogue policy.
They have previously said they want to challenge Pistorius on why he shot their daughter.
HORROR ON VALENTINE’S DAY
“Yes, they want to do that face to face,” said Koen.
“Barry has said for years he wants to meet Oscar and he has questions to ask.
“They are not emotionally prepared, but are prepared to meet Oscar.
“They accept the day will come when Oscar will be eligible for parole and they would give their input.”
A parole hearing for Pistorius was scheduled for October 2021 and then cancelled, partly because a meeting between Pistorius and the Steenkamps had not been arranged.
Koen slammed the way they had been treated saying: “What was also very upsetting was the disregard for their emotional wellbeing.
‘DISTRESSING’
“They had to find out the parole board had already convened a date for parole and never advised them about it.”
The multiple Paralympic champion was initially found guilty of culpable homicide – an offence comparable to manslaughter – for killing Reeva.
The Paralympian shot her four times through his bathroom door on Valentine’s Day 2013.
He claimed at his trial it was a tragic accident and he mistook her for a dangerous intruder.
But prosecutors appealed the manslaughter finding and secured a murder conviction.
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Pistorius was sentenced to six years in jail for murder but prosecutors again appealed what they called a shockingly light punishment for murder.
The Supreme Court of Appeal then more than doubled his sentence in 2017.