Oscar Pistorius faces death threats from underworld

The impending release of convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius on parole on Friday, January 5, has cast a dark shadow over his safety, with reports emerging of potential death threats from the Johannesburg underworld.

The disgraced former Paralympic champion, who served eight and a half years for the 2013 killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, is set to face a precarious situation upon his release.

Granted parole in November of the previous year, Pistorius, now 37, finds his name circulating among Johannesburg’s underworld and contract killers, according to police statements reported by Fox Digital. Authorities indicate that he may become a target for gangsters seeking retribution for the tragic incident involving a young woman.

Upon release, Pistorius plans to reside in either a cottage or the three-story mansion within a compound owned by his uncle, Arnold, located in Pretoria. The compound boasts armed guards, electronic defenses, and purportedly several attack dogs. The former athlete is slated to receive 24-hour police protection to mitigate potential risks to his life.

This alarming revelation comes against the backdrop of Pistorius’ prior involvement with the underworld, particularly an earlier feud with former professional footballer Marc Batchelor.

Reports from February 2023 highlighted Pistorius’ clash with Batchelor, who was tragically gunned down in 2019. Pistorius, armed with 10 firearms, including an AK-47, allegedly threatened Batchelor, who had previously quarreled with the athlete before Pistorius was imprisoned for Steenkamp’s murder.

Despite Batchelor’s demise in what authorities believe was an organized hit, no direct connection to Pistorius has been established. The former Kaizer Chiefs footballer, who was friends with Steenkamp, claimed Pistorius had threatened him due to suspicions of a romantic involvement with his then-girlfriend, Samantha Taylor.

As the parole release looms for Pistorius, the complex web of his interactions with the underworld adds layers of uncertainty and potential danger. The involvement of police and heightened security measures underscore the serious threats surrounding the athlete’s return to society.

The ongoing saga surrounding Oscar Pistorius continues to unfold, leaving a trail of speculation and concern regarding his safety in the volatile landscape of Johannesburg’s underworld.

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