South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, who is currently in prison for killing his former girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, will be released early after being granted parole by the parole board.

The 35-year-old has been in prison since 2016 after he shot and killed Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day of 2013, saying he mistook her for an intruder. He was initially sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, but it was extended to 15 years by the Supreme Court in 2017.

Since then, Pistorius has taken several legal actions to secure early release. After several unsuccessful appeals, including one in March, the parole board has finally granted the athlete an early release, which would come into effect on January 5, 2023.

According to the Guardian board, which deemed him fit for social reintegration, South Africa’s correctional services department said on Friday that one of the conditions for the parole to be granted is that Pistorius will not be able to leave Pretoria until his sentence expires in 2029.

Also, Pistorius will have to attend programmes on anger management and violence against women, as well as completing community services. 

He is also required to inform authorities about major events, including getting a job and relocating to a new location.

He is expected to live at his uncle’s home in a wealthy Pretoria suburb where he stayed during his murder trial, the Guardian reported.