After 10 years of mourning, June and Barry Steenkamp are broken parents who have ended their conflict with the man who murdered their daughter and ripped their lives apart, knowing he will spend more than another year in prison.
It was a parole hearing unlike others on Friday when June Steenkamp was unable to face Oscar Pistorius.
Instead, she was kept away from him at the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre, the low-security prison where the hearing took place. Accompanied by her lawyer Tania Koen, June told the board why she vehemently opposed Pistorius's release.
Barry Steenkamp's address was read out by Koen's junior Carmen Dodd, who delivered the sickly father's appeal: “Please, please tell the truth.”
A short while later, Koen received word that parole was denied and, as the news spread across the world, she battled to reach Barry Steenkamp at home in Gqeberha.
“It was unbelievable. The interest in this case has been overwhelming. June did so well. She wanted to come, then she didn't. But in the end, she decided to speak, and she was amazing and it was all worthwhile.”
Koen was central to two big parole hearings this week. She represented Rob and Sharon Matthews on Wednesday at the hearing for Donovan Moodley, who kidnapped and murdered their daughter, Leigh.
In 2020, she represented the victims of child rapist and former tennis great Bob Hewitt, who was granted parole without their knowledge.
We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives
— June and Barry Steenkamp
“I approached the [justice and correctional services] minister for a review and got it. So the matter was heard at St Albans Prison where the parole hearing decision was set aside and Hewitt had to start his application afresh,” she said.
Soon after, she was contacted by the victims of “Samurai Sword Killer” Morne Harmse, who asked her to represent them at his parole hearing.
Koen met June and Barry Steenkamp and became close to them during the making of the My Name is Reeva documentary now on Showmax. She is also the CEO of the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation.
“If there is anything I can say to advise victims or their families, it is that if they contact correctional services, give all their contact details and register their request for representation in a parole application by the offender. I have helped quite a few women do this only for them to find out that their rapist was released long ago without them even knowing,” she said.
Her relationship with the Steenkamps led to meeting the Matthews.
“My impression of Donovan Moodley is that he was not at all remorseful. His first contact with the Matthews was in a letter written on May 29 2019
“He never once acknowledged his actions. Until now I think he has given 11 versions of what happened — so no, he remains a danger to society.”
Koen said the Steenkamps remain convinced that Pistorius has never told the truth about what really happened the morning he killed Reeva. While Barry believes he is genuinely remorseful, June doesn't.
“The SCA judgment confirmed their view that Oscar never told them the truth, which means he has not been rehabilitated because he has not taken responsibility for his actions,” Koen said.
Correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the parole board decided against granting Pistorius parole because he had not yet served his minimum sentence. He would be granted a new hearing in August 2024.
On Friday, the Steenkamps released a statement saying: “While we welcome today’s decision, today is not a cause for celebration. We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.