Oscar Pistorius needs to meet with Reeva Steenkamp’s family so he can be considered for parole

The man known as “Blade Runner” is already eligible for parole — but he won’t be set free unless he agrees to a crucial meeting.

The family of Reeva Steenkamp are prepared to meet with her killer, Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, in a move that could help set the former athlete free.

Pistorius, 34, has served almost half of his 13-year term for murdering Ms Steenkamp, 29, and is eligible for parole — but under South African law he will need to “take responsibility for his actions” and the victim’s family needs the chance to receive an apology or “reconcile”.

The star of the London Paralympic Games in 2012, Pistorius was jailed for manslaughter in 2014. A year later, on appeal, his conviction was overturned and he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 13 years and five months.

He killed model Ms Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013 when he fired four times through a door into the bathroom where she was hiding. He later claimed he thought he was gunning down an intruder.

Just a year before he killed Ms Steenkamp, Pistorius became the first double-amputee to race at the Olympics when he competed at the London games, running on prosthetic blades and becoming known as the Blade Runner, while sparking attention for disabled athletes and disability issues in general.

South African Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius with girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Picture: AFP

Pistorius must “acknowledge and take responsibility for (his) actions” and there needed to be a “opportunity for parties to reconcile or an apology,” South Africa’s corrections department said, according to The Times.

The Steenkamps’ lawyer, Tania Koen, confirmed to the South African television network SABC they “would like to participate in the victim-offender dialogue”.

“June (Reeva’s mother) has always said she has forgiven Oscar, however that doesn’t mean that he mustn’t pay for what he has done. Barry (Reeva’s father) battles with that a bit, but that is something he will have to voice at the appropriate time,” Ms Koen said.

Pistorius in his garage just hours after killing Reeva. He had already washed blood off his hands and chest.

Pistorius had his manslaughter term overturned and one for murder imposed. Picture: Getty

Pistorius claims he killed Ms Steenkamp when he thought an intruder was in his home.

“The wound, even though so much time has passed, is still very raw.”

Ms Koen said the reaction of Reeva’s parents June and Barry Steenkamp was one of shock when they were first contacted by prison authorities.

“But over that shock, they were distraught, especially after the department cancelled the meeting (with Corrections officials). That was a double blow,” said Ms Koen.

“It opens the wound.”

“There is the issue of victim-offender dialogue that needs to take place before his profile can be taken to the parole board,” prisons spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo told AFP.

The parole board had been due to discuss the case on October 27.

Pistorius’ father Henke told a local TV news network, eNCA, “Our compassion and condolences go out to them all the time”.

Originally published as Oscar Pistorius needs to meet with Reeva Steenkamp’s family so he can be considered for parole