/ 8 June 2015

Pistorius to be freed on probation on August 21

Oscar Pistorius was jailed in October last year
Oscar Pistorius was jailed in October last year

Disgraced Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius will be released from prison on August 21 to serve the remainder of his five-year sentence for culpable homicide under correctional supervision, the department of correctional services said on Monday.

“He will be released on August 21. Under South African law a prisoner can be released on correctional supervision after having served one sixth of his sentence,” departmental spokesman Manelisi Wolela told ANA.

He said the family of Reeva Steenkamp, whom Pistorius shot and killed on Valentine’s Day 2013, attended the hearing that agreed to his release.

“They indicated that they had forgiven him,” Wolela said.

Pistorius was jailed in October last year, and would have served ten months by the time he is released.

The State is appealing his conviction and sentence in November.