Oscar Pistorius is a free man today after being smuggled out of prison by officials.
The Blade Runner was escorted from the Atteridgeville Correction Center and taken to his new home, where he will stay with his uncle Arnold Pistorius in Pretoria.
Probation officials insisted he would be treated no differently than other inmates, but he was given a private exit despite dozens of TV crew journalists waiting at the main entrance.
A police car was later seen driving into his uncle's house in nearby Waterkloof.
Oscar Pistorius (photo in the dock in 2013) has been released from prison after eleven years for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius (right) and girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp arrive for an awards ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2012 (file photo). Pistorius shot Steenkamp dead through a bathroom door in 2013
Prison officers search a car at the main entrance of Atteridgeville Prison in Pretoria. Pistorious was freed today through a back entrance
Members of the media set up outside the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre, where South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, convicted of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, was released on parole
It came as the mother of murdered Reeva spoke of her wish that today's release of Oscar Pistorius, who shot dead her daughter, will bring her some peace.
June Steenkamp believes Pistorius continues to lie about Reeva's murder, but wants to step out of the spotlight to mourn her daughter and husband Barry, who died last September 'of a broken heart'.
Reeva was murdered by Pistorius after being shot four times by her boyfriend, who insisted it was an accident as he believed an intruder had broken into his house while they slept on Valentine's Day 2013.
Pistorius was released from Atteridgeville Corrections Center 11 years after he shot Reeva dead.
Ms Steenkamp said today: 'February 2013 (was) the day life changed forever. The day South Africa lost its hero, Oscar Pistorius, and the day Barry and I lost our precious daughter, Reeva, at the hands of Oscar.
'Now, almost eleven years later, the pain is still raw and real, and my dearly departed husband Barry and I have never been able to come to terms with Reeva's death, or the manner in which she died.
“Over the years, Barry and I have been encouraged by the love and messages of support from friends and strangers alike.
'I wish I could personally thank everyone for carrying Barry and me through these difficult years. Part of Barry and my daily conversations were always overwhelmed by the sadness we felt for the parents and families of victims whose perpetrators were not brought to justice.
“Our thoughts remained with them as they were denied any form of closure and the names of their loved ones were never recognized or honored.
Pistorius' successful bid to compete in the 2012 London Olympics (pictured) made him a huge star in America and a poster boy for Paralympians
'It made us feel guilty to some extent, but at the same time the trauma of reliving and retelling our story was a huge cross to bear.
“While we remain grateful to the media, the intensity of coverage of Oscar's trial, capture and parole is a double-edged sword.
'The media interest meant the loss of our privacy and made it difficult to grieve in peace. Unfortunately, the messages were often accompanied by verbal and emotional abuse from some members of the public – not only towards us, but also towards our deceased daughter.
'It is my sincere wish, and Barry's too, that people will take a moment to consider the impact of their hurtful comments.
'We did not choose this. We would much rather have our loving daughter alive and smiling with us.
We have always known that parole is part of the South African justice system, and we have always said that the law must take its course.
“The parole of Oscar Pistorius, subject to certain conditions, has reaffirmed Barry and my faith in the South African justice system.
“The conditions imposed by the parole board, including anger management courses and gender-based violence programs, send a clear message that gender-based violence is taken seriously.”
June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva Steenkamp, arrives at Atteridgeville Correctional Center to attend his parole hearing on March 31, 2023, in Pretoria, South Africa
British-born June Steenkamp (seen left in 2014 comforting her husband Barry) today told Mail Online how Pistorius, 37, not only took Reeva from her, but how she also blames the runner for her subsequent death from her husband – and further believes he killed her dream of having grandchildren
She added: “Has there been justice for Reeva? Has Oscar served enough time? There can never be justice if your loved one never comes back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back. We who are left behind are the ones serving a life sentence.
“Now that Oscar Pistorius is out on parole, my only wish is that I may live out my final years in peace, with my focus remaining on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation, to continue Reeva's legacy.”