“We still want to know who sent Janusz Walus to kill our leader Chris Hani”, this is the question from Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) who were reacting to the release of Hani’s killer Yanusz Walus on parole on Wednesday.
The YCLSA National Secretary Tinyiko Ntini says they are not shocked by the recent development, but they are still disappointed by the Constitutional Court’s decision to release the man who hasn’t shown any remorse.
“The big issue is that he regrets killing Hani, but not a communist, in essence, communists are an endangered species in the society,” Said Ntini.
In 2020 Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola refused to release Walus on parole, a decision that was set aside by the Constitutional Court on 21 November which ordered that Lamola make arrangements to release him in 10 days.
Walus was then released from the hospital after receiving treatment following a stabbing incident last week, according to a statement from the Justice and Correctional Services Department.
“He will serve two years under community corrections in line with the parole regime upon which he is released,” said a statement from the Department of Correctional Services.
Ntini said the decision to free a man who took the life of an anti-apartheid leader has caused a pain that will never heal.
“The Constitutional Court has opened the wounds trying to heal, and not only to the Hani family alone but to the world. Remember Hani was an internationalist by his character,“ Ntini said while also condemning the vandalism of Hani’s memorial site at the Thomas Nkobi Cemetery in Boksburg.
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On Monday, 28 November, Ekurhuleni Metro Municipal officials found a portion of the memorial site damaged when they were reporting for duty.
Ntini says this is a sign that the ideas of the right-wing never change and they’re still following Hani to his grave.
According to Chrispin Phiri from the Justice and Correctional Services Department “There is no question that offender Walus is a polarising figure in our budding Constitutional democracy, and that his release has understandably reopened wounds among some in society, especially the family of the late struggle icon Chris Hani,” said the spokesperson in a statement.
“Walus’ actions sought to derail the democratic project at its most critical stage. He will serve two years under community corrections in line with the parole regime upon which he is released.”