Oscar Pistorius to Be Released on Probation in August

Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius is set to be released on probation on August 21, South African prison authorities say.

Oscar Pistorius, 28, will be released after serving 10 months in jail for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013.

The double amputee athlete was jailed for five years in 2014 for the culpable homicide of Reeva Steenkamp.

Reeva Steenkamp’s parents have said that the time he has served is “not enough for taking a life”.

A state appeal against Oscar Pistorius’ acquittal on murder charges is due in November.

Under South African law, Oscar Pistorius is eligible for release under “correctional supervision” having served a sixth of his sentence.

The decision is likely to mean a spell under house arrest for Oscar Pistorius.

Oscar Pistorius shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door at his Pretoria home, believing she was an intruder, he told his trial.

In March, a Johannesburg court blocked his legal team’s attempts to stop the prosecutors’ appeal.

State prosecutors say Oscar Pistorius should have been found guilty of murder – if convicted he could face a much more lengthy jail term.

Tania Koen, a lawyer for Reeva Steenkamp’s parents Barry and June, said that while the two had forgiven Oscar Pistorius, “ten months is not enough”.

“It also doesn’t send out the proper message and serve as the proper deterrent as the way it should.”