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Pistorius to be placed on probation in August

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Correctional Services says Oscar Pistorius will not be a completely free man from August 21. However, he will be placed on probation after spending 10 months in jail for shooting and killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

The law states that an offender may be released after serving one sixth of the sentence and continue to serve the remaining period under correctional supervision.

The Department says the Steenkamp family participated in the probation hearing.

Correctional Services spokesperson Manelisi Wolela says, “We can confirm that the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board of Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre sat on June 5, 2015, and approved the placement of Oscar Pistorius under correctional supervision with effect from August 21 2015.”

He adds: “The CSPB has approved that Pistorius be placed under correctional supervision, as a probationer, in line with Section 276 (1) (i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, read together with the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998, as amended that says an offender may serve only one sixth of his/her sentence in custody, and continue to serve the remaining period of the sentence under correctional supervision.”

Meanwhile, Steenkamp’s parents are shocked at the news that Pistorius has been recommended for release in August.

Steenkamp family attorney, Tania Koen, conveyed their feelings, as June Steenkamp is not well.

“They were surprised and a bit shocked as well. They don’t feel that it sends out the right message and serves as a proper deterrent. They have forgiven Oscar Pistorius. They have said that many times – they don’t want him to suffer. However, the message sent to society must be the correct one. It must serve as a deterrent. That said, they are focussing their energy on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation because they want something good to come out of this.”

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