OSCAR Pistorius' parole hearing is currently underway.
Rob Matthews, who was speaking on behalf of the late Reeva Steenkamp's mother, June Steenkamp outside Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Services in of Tshwane on Friday, 24 November said June cannot stand seeing the convicted paralympic Champion.
Matthews, who was reading from a statement written by June, said she doesn’t have the energy to face Pistorius.
“I’m not attending Oscar’s parole hearing because I simply cannot master the energy to face him again at this stage,” she said.
She said her husband’s death has further opened up a wound. Barry Steenkamp died in September 2023.
“Barry’s demise has opened up a wound in many ways caused by Reeva’s death,” she said.
She said she had forgiven Pistorius.
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June said she doesn’t believe Pistorius' version that he thought there was an intruder in the house before he fired shots killing Reeva.
“I don't believe Oscar’s version that he thought the person in the toilet was a burglar, in fact, I don’t know anybody that does. My dearest child screamed for her life loud enough for the neighbours to hear,” June said.
She also said Oscar had anger issues that Reeva complained about.
“On the 27th of January 2013, Reeva wrote and I quote ‘I’m scared of you sometimes and you snap at me and how you react to me. I’m the girl that fell in love with you…but instead, I get snapped at and I’m told my voice is annoying,” she said.
June is also not opposing his release but wants the law to be closely followed.
Initially, Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide for killing his girlfriend Reeva and it was later overturned to murder.
His six-year jail-term was reversed and was ultimately sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison.
According to the law, serious offenders must serve at least half their sentence to be eligible for parole.
