Reeva Steenkamp's family say 10 months in prison is 'not enough' for Oscar Pistorius
The former Olympian is due to be released in August and put under house arrest
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Reeva Steenkamp’s family have said that 10 months in prison for Oscar Pistorius is “not enough”.
The disgraced Olympic and Paralympic athlete is due to be released in August on account of his “good behaviour” after being convicted of shooting his girlfriend dead.
Pistorius, 28, killed Ms Steenkamp at his home in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013, claiming he fired multiple times through the bathroom door because he thought she was an intruder.
In a written submission to his parole hearing, the model’s relatives said they do not want revenge for her death but fear that Pistorius’ release would not send out the “proper message”.
"We have forgiven Mr Pistorius even though he took the life of our precious daughter, Reeva,” the statement said.
"Our lives will never be the same as we live with the sadness of her death every day. Reeva had so much to offer this world and we were all robbed of her life when she was killed.
"As her family, we do not seek to avenge her death and we do not want Mr Pistorius to suffer; that will not bring her back to us.
"However, a person found guilty of a crime must be held accountable for their actions.”
The statement said that statistics show that South Africa is under “continuous attack from criminals and murderers” and that punishments must deter crime.
It continued: “Incarceration of 10 months for taking a life is simply not enough.
“We fear that this will not send out the proper message and serve as the deterrent it should.“
Pistorius is due to be released from Kgosi Mampuru II prison on 21 April, when he will have served 10 months for “culpable homicide” and go under house arrest.
It is the minimum time served for the five-year sentence under South African law, although release could still be delayed for the double-amputee.
“He's behaving himself very well, he hasn't given us any problems,” the acting national commissioner of correctional services, Zach Modise, told the Associated Press.
Three months after he leaves jail, Pistorius will face the possibility of a murder conviction for a second time at the Supreme Court of Appeal and could be imprisoned for a minimum of 15 years.
A panel of judges will have the power to overturn Judge Thokozile Masipa decision and convict Pistorius of murder, or order another trial.