Janusz Walus, a far-right extremist convicted of murdering South African anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani in 1993, is to be deported to Poland. Following nearly three decades in prison, his parole sparked public outcry in South Africa. Walus’s deportation will occur on Friday, with the Polish government covering the costs, causing distress within Hani’s family and among ANC leaders who call for further investigation into the crime.
Janusz Walus, a far-right extremist convicted of murdering prominent South African anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani, is scheduled to be deported to Poland by the South African government. Walus, aged 71, killed Hani outside his residence in 1993 during a volatile period preceding the nation’s first multi-racial elections. His release on parole in 2022 incited considerable backlash within South Africa, a nation still confronting the remnants of its apartheid history. The deportation process is set for Friday night, with the Polish government assuming responsibility for his return.
South African officials, including Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, acknowledged the challenging nature of this development, noting it serves as a painful reminder of apartheid’s oppressive legacy. The decision, influenced by a ruling from the Constitutional Court, has left the widow of Chris Hani, Limpho Hani, in distress, as she received minimal notice regarding Walus’s deportation. Limpho Hani expressed dissatisfaction with the South African Communist Party and the government for their late communication of this significant event.
Chris Hani was an integral figure in the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party, pivotal in the struggle against apartheid. Since his assassination, Hani has been memorialized as a symbol of freedom and equality in South Africa. In a statement, the ANC reflected on the deep sorrow caused by Hani’s death, emphasizing the profound impact of Walus’s actions on the nation.
Having relocated from Poland to South Africa in 1981, Walus was later awarded South African citizenship, which was withdrawn following his conviction for Hani’s murder. Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was converted to a life sentence when the death penalty was abolished. In 1997, during his testimony at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission tribunal, Walus alleged his motivation for the murder was to cause societal upheaval that would enable a right-wing takeover, citing his experiences in communist Poland as influential in his decision.
The assassination of Hani raised intense fears of a potential race war and is seen as a pivotal moment that nearly destabilized South Africa’s transition to democracy. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula lamented that Walus had deprived the nation of one of its most prominent leaders and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder. Mbalula stressed that Walus’s deportation without a full confession constituted an injustice, an opinion echoed by the South African Communist Party.
In Poland, Walus is regarded among extremist circles as a controversial figure, with his likeness utilized in far-right merchandise. Notably, Walus has never shown any public remorse for the murder of Chris Hani, further complicating the sentiments surrounding his deportation and the legacy of his actions.
The murder of Chris Hani, a key anti-apartheid figure and leader in the African National Congress, marked a critical moment in South African history. Hani’s assassination in 1993, during the lead-up to the first democratic elections, heightened racial tensions and fears of civil unrest. Janusz Walus, a Polish émigré linked to far-right ideologies, was convicted of the murder that shook the nation. His subsequent release on parole in 2022 sparked widespread outrage, reflecting South Africa’s ongoing struggle with its apartheid past and the repercussions of racial violence. The decision to deport Walus to Poland brings forth discussions regarding justice and accountability in the context of his crime and the ongoing legacy of apartheid.
The deportation of Janusz Walus, the man responsible for the assassination of Chris Hani, serves as a poignant reminder of South Africa’s tumultuous history. The reaction of government officials and Hani’s family highlights the enduring pain associated with Hani’s murder, while calls for further investigation underscore the quest for justice that persists within the nation. Walus’s status as an extremist figure in both South Africa and Poland continues to evoke discussions about political violence and the socio-political implications of racially motivated crimes.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
