Reeva Steenkamp’s Mother Says She Is ‘Not Convinced’ Oscar Pistorius Has Been Rehabilitated After Killer Is Granted Parole

In a victim impact statement, June Steenkamp also said she would potentially be “concerned for the safety of any woman” who comes into contact with him

The mother of Reeva Steenkamp says she is “not convinced” Oscar Pistorius has been rehabilitated after news broke this week that her daughter’s killer is set to be released from prison on parole in January 2024.

On Friday, June Steenkamp opened up in a victim impact statement obtained by PEOPLE and urged the parole board panels to take measures toward fairly evaluating an inmate’s rehabilitation by determining whether the convicted is truly remorseful.

"At this time, I am not convinced that Oscar has been rehabilitated,” June said of the former Paralympic gold medalist who was sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison by a South African court in 2016 for the murder of Reeva.

“Rehabilitation requires someone to engage honestly with the full truth of his crime and the consequences thereof,” she continued. “Nobody can claim to have remorse if they are not able to engage fully with the truth. If someone does not show remorse, they cannot be considered to be rehabilitated.”

On Valentine's Day in 2013, Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend, Reeva, multiple times through a closed bathroom door. The double-amputee — who earned the nickname, "Blade Runner," and made history in 2012 as the first Paralympian to compete in the Olympics — shot the law graduate and model at his Pretoria, South Africa, home, authorities said.

Related: Oscar Pistorius Trial: Testimony Attempts to Paint Blade Runner's Dark Side

During his trial, Pistorius admitted to shooting Reeva four times but claimed he mistook her for an intruder. He pleaded not guilty. However, prosecutors argued he intentionally killed Reeva in a fit of rage.

Pistorius, now 37, has been behind bars since 2013. According to the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa, the parole board has set his release for Jan. 5, 2024.

“I had forgiven Oscar long ago, as I knew almost instantly that I would not be able to survive if I had to cling to my anger,” June said in the statement. “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. My dearest child screamed for her life; loud enough for the neighbours to hear her.”

In a statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Friday, the Department of Correctional Services said Pistorius will be monitored by the authorities until his sentence expires.

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June did not attend Friday’s hearing according to the statement and said, “I simply cannot muster the energy to face him again at this stage.” She didn’t oppose Pistorius’ early release, but questioned whether he had truly dealt with his "huge anger issues” while in prison.

She added that she would potentially be “concerned for the safety of any woman” who comes into contact with him.

“I do not know which rehabilitation programs were attended by Oscar while incarcerated, but I sincerely hope that his rehabilitation included psychotherapy to deal with his temper and abusive behavior towards women,” June said. “I also hope that specialist criminologists were engaged to assist in compiling a psychological profile that would assist in determining his risk for recidivism.”

The mother went on to say that her husband, Barry, who was also Reeva's father, died in September 2023 after suffering a stroke, which she described as a "further blow" to her family.

Related: Oscar Pistorius Set to Be Released from Prison in January, Nearly 11 Years After His Murder Conviction

“I have no doubt that Barry died of a broken heart,” June said. “No parent should have to bury a child and most certainly not in the circumstances that prevailed in the demise of Reeva.”

She added, “I miss my partner and confidant dearly. The fact that he is reunited with Reeva offers some respite, but does not ease the terrific sense of loss that I have to come to terms with.”

Despite the loss of her daughter and husband, June expressed gratitude for having been a mother to Reeva, whose "name and demise continue to raise awareness around gender-based violence worldwide."

“Were our dreams for Reeva fulfilled? Of course not,” she said. “We realized we were blessed as our daughter left us memories we could only be proud of. The massive hole left in our future can never be filled by anyone else.”

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