25 November 2023 , 12:57
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Oscar Pistorius refused to answer a key question when meeting the father of his victim, according to reports.
The 37-year-old former sprinter is to be freed after serving time in a South African prison since he was found guilty of the manslaughter of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013. Pistorius claims he shot Reeva by accident, thinking an intruder had entered his home while the couple slept.
As part of South Africa's victim-offender dialogue programme, Pistorius met his victim's father while her mother said she did not feel able to meet him due to her mental torture and anger. However Barry Steenkamp - who died in September aged 80 - begged him to come clean during their private meeting in June last year.
Pistorius with Reeva Steenkamp in 2012 (AP)
Reeva Steenkamp's family do not believe the version of events given by Pistorius (Getty Images)Details of their conversation have remained private until now, but they have now been revealed. According to the Mail Online, Mr Steenkamp - who died earlier this year - confronted Pistorius, saying he believed he wanted to kill his daughter as she wanted to end their relationship.
However, the publication reports that Pistorius did not answer Mr Steenkamp's direct questions, which he assumed was an admission of guilt. According to the Mail, Mr Steenkamp said: "I spoke to him and I told him he was lying. I looked directly at him, but he could not look me in the eye. I said 'you have got a brother and a sister. On their life…are you telling me the truth?'." But it has been claimed that Pistorius did not respond and "just put his head down".
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Mr Steenkamp added: "'If he had admitted it, he would have felt different as well. That part of her would have gone. He will have to live with his evil secret." He also said he believed the account Pistorius gave of the shooting was "utter rubbish". He said: "I believe that there was something prior to that. There must have been one hell of an argument. Her clothes were thrown out of the window and found outside. She was trying to leave, but she couldn't jump out of the window."
Pistorius was sentenced by a South African court in 2016 to serve 13 years and five months in prison. The parole board has set his release for January 5, 2024. On Friday, the Department of Correctional Services said that once released, Pistorius will be monitored by the authorities until his sentence officially expires "just like all other parolees". During that time, if he wants to move house or get a job, he will need to notify his parole officer.
The Steenkamp's family spokesman added that Pistorius will also have to attend therapy sessions. Reeva's mother June Steenkamp chose not to attend the parole hearing at Atteridgeville prison near Pretoria, saying: "I simply cannot muster the energy to face him again at this stage. My dear Barry left this world utterly devastated by the thought that he had failed to protect his daughter... I've no doubt that he died of a broken heart."