Oscar Pistorius, a disgraced South African Olympian, is scheduled to meet Reeva Steenkamp’s parents. BBC reported.
The meeting will be the first time both parties have formally met and comes before Pistorius’ parole hearing, the BBC reported.
Pistorius, who was convicted in then-girlfriend Steenkamp’s Valentine’s Day 2013 death, has been transferred to Gqeberha, formerly known as South Africa’s notorious Port Elizabeth prison, in the Eastern Cape, the Evening Standard reported.
The prison is close to Steenkamp’s parents, Barry, 78, and June, 74, and the move is part of the parole allows for a “victim-offender” dialogue, the Evening Standard reported.
Singabakho Nxumalo, spokesperson for South Africa Department of Correctional Services, stated in a statement obtained from ESPNThat “The transfer is necessitated by the need to commence with the processes of a victim-offender dialogue as the victims are based in Gqeberha. Offenders participate in the victim-offender dialogue as part of their rehabilitation path, wherein they are able to acknowledge the harm they have caused to their victims and the society at large.”
Nxumalo stated that the process cannot be rushed and that there was no set time frame for the meeting.
“Victim-offender dialogues are sensitive, emotional and inconsolable; hence they are presided [over] by highly trained officials who ought to ensure that all parties derive value from the process,”He stated. “DCS is unable to pre-empt the time frame, as this will be guided by the level of preparedness by all participants.”
Pistorius has served half of his 15-year sentence for the killing of Steenkamp at their home eight years ago, ESPN reported.
The Steenkamp family lawyer told the Steenkamp family that the athlete had been disgraced and was now eligible for parole. SABCThey would be open to meeting with Pistorius.
SABC was told by the family lawyer that they “would like to participate in the victim-offender dialogue.”
“June has always said that she has forgiven Oscar, however that doesn’t mean that he mustn’t pay for what he has done,” the attorney said. “Barry battles with that a bit, but that is something he will have to voice at the appropriate time.”
Steenkamp was dating Pistorius at the time. Steenkamp was shot to death by Pistorius after he fired four shots through a bathroom door that was locked. He claimed that he mistook Steenkamp as a burglar at his Pretoria house.