Zimpapers Logo

Oscar Pistorious

PRETORIA. — The Pistorius family had no idea that Oscar Pistorius would be released a day early, spokesperson Annelise Burgess said yesterday morning.

“Like you, we were expecting him to be released today. We were informed that the details of any release are decided upon by the facility concerned and that is why Oscar was released a couple of hours earlier.”

Burgess said the family was happy to have him home. “They want to make the point that Oscar’s sentence continues,” she told reporters outside the home of Pistorius’ uncle Arnold.

He would strictly adhere to the terms of his release, she added.

Pistorius would serve out the rest of his five-year sentence at his uncle’s home after he was released into correctional supervision on Monday evening.

“It’s very important for the family to emphasise that Oscar’s sentence has not been shortened or reduced. He is simply entering the next step phase of his sentence. He will serve this under the strict conditions that govern correctional supervision.”

The family had no comment on the Steenkamps.

Pistorius was sentenced to five years behind bars for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day 2013. He was sentenced to a further three years, suspended for five years, for firing a shot at Tasha’s restaurant in Johannesburg, in January 2013.

He spent just over 10 months in jail.

“He will strictly adhere to the conditions set by the parole board and the community corrections. I can’t answer on behalf of the family or Oscar. Oscar is here at home with the family. I can’t talk about the conditions at this stage, I’m sure that will become clearer as time goes by.

“The family is happy that he is home but want the point that the sentence continues and that is the key point here,” said Burgess. — News24.