Popular South African ‘blade runner’ granted parole after killing girlfriend

One time popular blade athlete from South Africa, Oscar Pistorius has been granted parole after serving 9 years in prison for killing his girlfriend in an event that caught the world by huge surprise. Authorities said he will be monitored closely until his sentence expires…

Jailed South African Paralympic champion, Oscar Pistorius has been granted parole after serving nine years for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Despite the order, officials say the famous ‘blade runner’ will not be released until January.

Upon his release, the athletes will be monitored by the authorities until his sentence officially expires “just like all other parolees”, the Department of Correctional Services said on Friday.

The souring good image of the record-breaking athlete collapsed after he was convicted of killing his girlfriend in court hearings that shook the world of sport.
Pistorius shot and killed Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013.

Reeva Steenkamp was a law graduate and successful model before she was killed.

Pistorius, now 37, testified at trial that he thought there was an intruder in the house and that Ms Steenkamp was still in bed.

He was convicted of murder in 2015 at the Supreme Court of Appeal having initially been convicted of the lesser offence of culpable homicide.

Pistorius lower legs were amputated when he was less than a year old.

At the Paralympics, he won several gold medals for South Africa and competed against non-disabled athletes at the London 2012 Olympics.