Oscar Pistorius to be freed from prison in South Africa 11 years after killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

The Paralympian, known as the Blade Runner, will be freed after shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at their home. But the victim’s mother says his “huge anger issues” are still a concern.

Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius will be be freed from prison almost 11 years after killing his girlfriend in their home.

The sprinter shot Reeva Steenkamp multiple times through a bathroom door in Pretoria, South Africa, on Valentine’s Day in 2013.

Pistorius later claimed he mistook her for a burglar.

The 37-year-old was sentenced by a South African court in 2016 to 13 years behind bars.

The parole board has set his release for January 5, 2024.

Reeva Steenkamp was killed by Oscar Pistorius in 2013.

Ms Steenkamp’s mother did not oppose bail but wrote a letter to the parole board which questioned if Pistorius’s “huge anger issues” had been dealt with in prison.

“I simply cannot muster the energy to face him again at this stage,” she said.

Ms Steenkamp’s father Barry died in September and his wife said the stress of their daughter's violent death had weighed heavily on them both.

A statement read: “My dear Barry left this world utterly devastated by the thought that he had failed to protect his daughter.

The mother of Reeva Steenkamp, June Steenkamp did not attend the parole hearing. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP

“No parent should have to bury a child and most certainly not in the circumstances that prevailed in the demise of Reeva.

“I do not believe Oscar’s version that he thought the person in the toilet was a burglar. In fact, I do not know anybody who does.”

Pistorius’ earlier parole bid this year was rejected as he had not completed the minimum detention period.

Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to 13 years behind bars in 2016. Picture: Charlie Shoemaker/Getty Images

Offenders are automatically eligible for parole consideration in South Africa after serving half of their sentence.

A statement from the court said Pistorius was a “first time offender with a positive support system”, when describing the decision to release him.

A prison spokesperson said: “Parole does not mean the end of the sentence. It is still part of the sentence.

“It only means the inmate will complete the sentence outside a correctional facility.”

He is expected to spend the initial days of freedom at his uncle’s mansion in a wealthy area of Pretoria, according to Sky News.

Pistorius shot to global fame in 2012 when he competed at the London Olympics and was dubbed ‘blade runner’ for running with prosthetic legs.