The SACP has accused the South African government of lacking the political will to probe the death of its late leader Chris Hani who was assassinated by Polish migrant Yanusz Walus who is expected to walk out of prison on parole tomorrow.
The tripartite alliance marched to the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Tshwane in protest against the release of the Walus on parole.
Hani was the SACP general secretary when he was shot and killed outside his home in Boksburg, Benoni by Walus on 10 April 1993.
This happened on the eve of South Africa’s first democratic elections. Hani’s death almost plunged the country into chaos and renewed fighting that was averted only when former President Nelson Mandela intervened.
SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila reiterated calls for an inquest into Hani’s killing adding that the party feels that “the democratic state prioritises reconciliation at the expense of the truth”.
The renewed calls for an inquest were sparked by the Apex Court’s decision to set aside the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Roland Lamola’s decision to deny Walus parole and ordered that the killer be released on parole within 10 days.
“We called for an inquest during the time when President Mbeki was president, no inquest was taken. When President Zuma was president no inquest was ever taken.
“We are still calling for it now. It has never taken place. At least we can come to a conclusive investigation and follow up certain things with a judicial officer or a Judge or whoever will lead that judicial inquest will come to a conclusion to say the following had happened. “We then can lay this matter to rest,” said Mapaila.
Gauteng ANC chairperson, Panyaza Lesufi joined in the fray and said proper parole processes were not followed.
“The things that should have been done were not done, for example when you parole somebody or give somebody parole the family must be part of the parole. The Chris Hani family were not part of the process.
“The Chris Hani family were not part of the process therefore we will support that view. On the side of the family the family feels there are things that need to happen and didn’t happen. We will support them,” said Lesufi.
