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Olympic Sprinter, Oscar Pistorious Released From South African Prison After Spending 11Yrs In Jail For Murdering Girlfriend

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The double-amputee Paralympic and Olympic sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, was released from prison on parole on Friday, more than a decade after shooting his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in a killing that shocked the world.

A parole board granted Pistorius’ petition in November on the grounds that he had served half of his 13-year sentence for shooting Steenkamp, making him eligible according to South African law.

A spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services, Singabakho Nxumalo, told CNN that Pistorius was released from Atteridgeville Correctional Centre, west of Pretoria, on Friday morning. He will be subject to parole conditions until his sentence expires in 2029.

In a statement Friday, Steenkamp’s mother said her only desire following Pistorius’ release is that she would be allowed to live her remaining years “in peace”.

“There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back,” June Steenkamp said. “We, who remain behind, are the ones serving a life sentence.”

Pistorius shot Steenkamp four times through a locked bathroom door in his home in Pretoria on February 14, 2013. He has maintained that he did not kill her in a fit of anger during a Valentine’s Day argument, as prosecutors argued, and said instead he had mistaken her for an intruder.

During the trial, which garnered global attention, Pistorius pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder and a firearms charge associated with Steenkamp’s killing.

He was initially convicted of manslaughter in 2014 and sentenced to five years. But a higher court overturned the conviction and upgraded it to murder a year later, increasing his sentence to six years in prison.

The ruling was appealed by prosecutors who claimed the sentence was too lenient. Pistorius’ sentence was increased to 13 years and five months by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal in 2017.

Pistorius became eligible for parole in March 2023, due to a law for inmates who have served half of their sentence and met conditions such as good behavior. The legislation is part of the country’s “Restorative Justice” process, which gives offenders the opportunity to “acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions.”

According to the DCS, Pistorius will complete the remainder of his sentence in the country’s community corrections system.

He will have to attend programs on gender-based violence and continue therapy sessions on anger management, Reuters reported, citing a lawyer for the Steenkamp family.

The DCS said in a statement Wednesday that “general parole conditions” will apply, including Pistorius being required to be home at particular hours of the day. He will not be allowed to consume alcohol or prohibited substances and will be required to participate in programs identified by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board.

“Just like other parolees, Pistorius is restricted from conducting media interviews,” the statement added.

 

Credit: CNN

BIG STORY

BREAKING: PDP Expels Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, Others For Anti-Party Activities

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The Peoples Democratic Party at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday expelled high-profile members, including Federal Capital Minister, Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others for anti-party activities.

The action was “promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates,” highlighting the party’s “commitment to restoring unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

This is according to the official statement released by @OfficialPDPNig across its social media handles, which read, “In a landmark move to restore unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, has expelled high-profile members Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others.”

The statement added: “The decision, which was promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates, underscores the party’s commitment to eradicating internal divisions and anti-party conduct that have plagued its progress.”

Additional reports revealed that party chieftain, Chief Olabode George, who was also a former national vice-chairman of the party (south), moved the motion for the expulsion, while Samaila Buga, chairman of the PDP in Bauchi, seconded his motion.

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, put it to a voice vote.

More details later…

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CAF Offers Free E-Visas To Fans For AFCON 2025

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the AFCON Morocco 2025 Local Organising Committee have confirmed that football fans travelling to the tournament will be entitled to free electronic visas. The announcement was made in a statement released on CAF’s official website on Friday.

CAF noted that the initiative targets citizens of countries that typically require a visa to enter Morocco. It stated that “Electronic visas to enter Morocco — obtained through the YALLA app — are now free of charge for supporters attending the competition, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026”.

The football body explained that the update comes at a time when global interest in the tournament continues to rise, with fans increasingly securing seats via CAF’s ticketing platform.

CAF also stated that the use of a fan identification system would be mandatory for entry into all stadiums and designated fan zones. According to the organisation, “CAF Supporters can apply for both the Fan ID and e-visa in one place inside the YALLA app, streamlining travel and stadium access.”

It added that “The Fan ID application and e-visa request are completed seamlessly within the YALLA app, ensuring a faster, easier, and secure experience for international visitors and local fans alike.” Fans are required to download the YALLA app from Google Play or the App Store, or visit the YALLA website, complete the Fan ID registration, and, where necessary, submit the e-visa request.

Once these approvals are granted, supporters can proceed to purchase match tickets through CAF’s ticketing platform.

CAF said the new processes are aimed at delivering a smooth and secure experience for spectators as the competition prepares to unfold across nine stadiums in six Moroccan cities. The body added that “CAF, with support from the LOC, reaffirms its commitment to delivering a world-class spectator experience throughout Africa’s greatest football celebration.”

It also confirmed that a total of 298,000 tickets have been sold so far during the first two phases on its ticketing platform, with buyers from 33 African countries and 106 nations around the world.

CAF highlighted that the highest ticket demand has come from Morocco, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The football tournament is scheduled to hold from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 across the designated host cities in Morocco.

Nigeria has been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, with the Super Eagles set to begin their campaign against Tanzania on December 23.

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Court Orders PDP To Allow Lamido Contest Chairmanship Position

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Peoples Democratic Party to make arrangements for former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, to contest for the party’s national chairmanship position in its forthcoming convention.

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the ruling on Friday, ordered the PDP to provide Lamido with the nomination form for the position and give him the opportunity to prepare for the election process.

In the judgment, Justice Lifu also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of any PDP convention conducted without including Lamido as a contestant for the position.

The court noted that evidence presented showed that Lamido was unjustly denied access to the nomination form required to contest for the National Chairmanship seat, in violation of the PDP’s Constitution and internal Regulations.

Justice Lifu held that the PDP had an obligation to create fair opportunities for its members to pursue leadership roles by putting in place deliberate mechanisms that allow them to realise their political aspirations.

The ruling further directed that the party’s planned national convention must be suspended until Lamido is allowed to obtain the nomination form, mobilise his supporters, and run his campaign in full.

The judgment stemmed from the suit filed by Lamido, in which he alleged that the PDP denied him the opportunity to contest the chairmanship position despite meeting all necessary requirements.

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