Janusz Walus, who killed former General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Chris Hani in 1993, will be deported to his native Poland today.
This after his parole expired today paving the way for his deportation as he’s in the country illegally.
This was revealed during a media briefing held by various government ministers in Pretoria.
Walus was sentenced to death in 1993 for Hani’s assassination, but this sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
“Today, the 6th of December 2024, the parole period of Janus Waluz has come to an end in line with the Constitutional Court decision.
Since Janus Waluz no longer holds any South African enabling documents, the Department of Home Affairs will be deporting him.
This morning, the National Commissioner of Correctional Services will formally hand over Janus Waluz to the Department of Home Affairs for deportation,” said the minister in the office of the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The Polish government will cover the costs of Walus’ deportation.
Walus held dual citizenship (Polish and South African) from 1986 until 2017, when his South African citizenship was revoked and now holds only Polish citizenship.
On 21 November 2002, the Constitutional Court ordered that Wanus be placed on parole within ten days of the date of the order, in line with applicable legislation.
At the time, the applicable parole period was two years, and he was subsequently placed on parole on 07 December 2022, subject to parole conditions.
In addition, Ntshavheni highlighted that the handover and deportation process is being overseen by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) following a Cabinet briefing earlier this week.
Ntshavheni said a ministerial delegation visited the Hani family, to inform them about the latest developments.
“During this engagement, the government delegation received a request for an inquest from Hani’s wife (Limpho) and the SACP.
The request will be referred to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development,” explained Ntshavheni.
At the time of Hani’s assassination, the negotiations for a free and equal South Africa had stalled, and his tragic death forced the negotiating parties to set a date for the first democratic General Elections on 27 April 1994.
