The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed on Monday, November 29 that convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius has been transferred to a correctional centre in Gqeberha to start a dialogue with the family of Reeva Steenkamp.
The Paralympic gold medallist was transferred from the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Tshwane where he was serving a 13-year sentence following the 2013 murder of his girlfriend.
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According to a statement by DCS, the transfer is necessitated by the need to commence with the processes of a victim-offender dialogue as the victims are based in Gqeberha.
“Offenders participate in the victim-offender dialogue as part of their rehabilitation path wherein they are able to acknowledge the harm they have caused to their victims and the society at large,” the department said in a statement.
The department also emphasised that the move and victim-offender dialogue is not a parole process, but one that is undertaken prior to consideration for parole.
“This is an internal process and it is our humble plea that all participants be allowed to partake without undue pressure to disclose contents of the engagement,” the statement expressed.
The statement further mentioned that the victim-offender dialogues are sensitive, emotional and inconsolable and are presided by highly-trained officials who ought to ensure that all parties derive value from the process.
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Picture: Supplied
