24 April 2024 , 15:00
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Oscar Pistorius has been pictured for the first time since he was freed from jail after killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, in images first captured by South African news site Netwerk24.
They show the Bladerunner has lost weight and aged, with grey and thinning hair, following his time in prison. Friends of Reeva, who was killed on Valentine’s Day 2013, said they felt sorry for her mum after the photos emerged. Tania Koen told of her thoughts for June Steenkamp whose husband Barry died “from a broken heart” last year.
Ms Koen, who is also Steenkamp’s lawyer, added: “I feel sorry for June who is serving a life sentence. She will never get to see Reeva's smile. Ever.”
Pistorius was seen grinning as he strolled around Pretoria (Deaan Vivier/Netwerk24/Gallo Images)
The disgraced Paralympian was seen grinning on the streets (Deaan Vivier/Netwerk24/Gallo Images)Another friend of the model, who asked not to be identified, said: “It is very disturbing to see Pistorius smiling like he doesn't have a care in the world. If I could, I would wipe that smile off his face. I don't know how he sleeps at night for what he did.”
Pistorius, now 37, had spent seven years in jail. He was photographed as he reported to the parole office in Pretoria. Following his controversial release earlier this year Pistorius has been hiding at his Uncle’s nearby £2m mansion.
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Sources said he had been regularly working out since his release and has been following a strict booze free diet. He has been allowed out on parole until 2029 and must adhere to a number of conditions set down by Atteridgeville Correction Services officials.
He was later seen behind the wheel of a car (Deaan Vivier/Netwerk24/Gallo Images)He was told to undergo a course of “anger management” to help him cope with his blazing temper which prosecutors said led him to kill Reeva. The former athlete can no longer be the party animal he was before he gunned down Reeva in his apartment.
He killed Reeva, 29, on Valentine's Day 2013, shooting her through the locked door of their bathroom and later claiming he had thought she was an intruder. He is barred from drinking alcohol and handling any weapons and must inform his parole officers of his whereabouts at all times. He must also remain at his uncle Arnold's home during set hours including overnight.
The disgraced athlete is also forbidden from contacting Steenkamp's family, posting on social media, giving interviews or releasing a memoir.
At his 2014 murder trial, Pistorius claimed to have mistaken his girlfriend of three months for a burglar before fatally shooting her with a licensed 9mm pistol. He was initially sentenced to five years for culpable homicide though this was more than doubled to 13 years and five months following an appeal from prosecutors.
Since his release, Steenkamp's family said they are "still serving a life sentence. Her mother, June, earlier said: “My only desire is I will be allowed to live my last years in peace with my focus remaining on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation, to continue Reeva's legacy.”