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South African former Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius competes in a triathlon event, 12 years after murdering his girlfriend and a year after his release on parole, in the coastal city of Durban, South Africa, June 1, 2025
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDMWO) has condemned the recent return of Oscar Pistorius to public sports, calling it an insult to the memory of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius, who was convicted of murdering Steenkamp in 2013, competed in a triathlon in Durban last week. This was Pistorius’ first athletic appearance since being released on parole in January 2024.
The UDM’s Secretary-General Thandi Nontenja says, “This is an insult to all the victims of gender-based violence in South Africa. We all know that at the moment, the country has a pandemic that is reaching a crisis point for femicide. To have him on parole is one thing, but to have him participating in public sports as if nothing had happened is heart-rending for the family that lost a child who will never participate in anything, not even her own birthday.”
