Three months after being released from prison, Oscar Pistorius is now in no man’s land, taking refuge in his uncle’s mansion in the South African capital.
Pistorius, the only double amputee in Olympic history, was released in January after serving nearly nine years in prison for the murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he shot and killed through the closed bathroom door of his bachelor party in Pretoria on Valentine’s Day 2013. .
However, since being granted parole earlier this year, the 37-year-old has had no luck finding work.
According to the New York PostPistorius contacted at least two members of the International Paralympic Committee to ask about the possibility of working together in some capacity, but was rebuffed in his attempt to return to work.
One of the members in question is quoted as saying, “He’s too toxic to work with now.” There’s nothing here for him.
Oscar Pistorius is “too toxic” to work three months after leaving prison
Pistorius was freed in January after serving nine years in prison for the murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (left)
Since being released from prison, the 37-year-old has had no luck finding paid work.
Pistorius will be monitored until his sentence officially ends in 2029, following his release from prison, although he is not required to wear an electrical monitor.
A probation officer checks on him at random times of the day, according to the Department of Corrections, while he is subject to alcohol and drug testing.
Pistorius is also prohibited from contacting Steenkamp’s family, posting on social media, giving interviews or publishing a memoir about his experiences.
During his murder trial in 2014, he claimed to have mistaken Steenkamp, his girlfriend of just three months, for a robber before shooting her with a licensed 9mm pistol.
After initially being sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter, the Olympic and Paralympic athlete had his sentence doubled to 13 years and five months following an appeal by prosecutors. He served more than half of that sentence before being released.
Pistorius has not been granted true freedom despite being released from prison, but has instead gone into hiding in the guarded estate of his rich, church-going uncle Arnold in Pretoria.
The Waterkloof property is said to have armed guards, electronic defenses and several “attack dogs”.
Pistorius has included in his parole paperwork volunteer work at NG Kerk Waterkloof, a Dutch Reformed church his uncle attends.
He is understood to be carrying out light maintenance and cleaning work at the church while calmly attending services.
He has been holed up in his wealthy uncle Arnold’s guarded estate in Pretoria while doing volunteer work at a local Dutch Reformed church.
Pistorious shot Steenkamp through the closed bathroom door of his home in a gated community in Pretoria.
He claimed to have mistaken her for a thief before shooting her with a licensed 9mm pistol.
Steenkamp’s mother June (left) recently claimed she is serving her own “life sentence” 11 years after her daughter’s death.
“I almost didn’t recognize him,” said Aida Govender, who saw Pistorius there last month. ‘His hair is longer and he has a beard. He’s also not as thin as he expected.
‘You’d never know he was an athlete; He’s just not the same anymore.’
Another church member described him as “not friendly, not outgoing” and a “shadow of what he once was.”
Following Pistorius’ release, Steenkamp’s mother June claimed that she is still serving her own “life sentence” following the murder of her daughter 11 years ago.
‘Has there been justice for Reeva?’ June said in a statement shared by the family.
‘Has Oscar served enough time? There can never be justice if his loved one never returns, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back.
“Those of us who stayed behind are the ones who served life sentences.”