Hani’s widow, vows to uncover ‘his real killers’

THE widow of slain anti-apartheid hero Chris Hani, Limpho Hani, has once again called for a full investigation into the 1993 assassination of her husband following the controversial deportation of his killer, Janusz Walus, to Poland.

Walus, a Polish-born right-wing extremist who was convicted of Hani’s murder, was released on parole in 2022, sparking widespread outrage.

Despite his parole and subsequent deportation, Limpho, supported by the South African Communist Party (SACP), is demanding a formal inquest into her husband’s murder, calling the deportation of Walus a painful reminder of the unresolved truths behind Hani’s assassination.

She believes the full extent of the conspiracy, which she argues is still concealed, can only be revealed through a thorough investigation.

The SACP, along with Hani’s family, has expressed outrage over the government’s handling of Walus’s deportation, saying that it “rubs salt into the family’s wounds”.

Walus, who was believed to have been working with Clive Derby-Lewis to assassinate Chris Hani, applied for amnesty to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), but his application was rejected.

SACP Central Committee member, Tinyiko Ntini, insists that key facts about Hani’s murder remain hidden, and only a formal inquest can reveal the full truth behind the assassination.

The party has been advocating for such an investigation since April of the previous year, believing it is crucial to bring other responsible parties to justice.

Speaking on national television, former TRC Commissioner and Human Rights Lawyer Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, expressed scepticism about the potential outcomes of the inquest, suggesting that it would likely not yield any results.

“Justice should be seen in the light of the prevalent jurisprudence in South Africa at the time.”

Hani’s assassination was a pivotal moment in South Africa’s history, sparking widespread outrage and fears of unrest during the country’s transition to democracy.

The SACP has vowed to continue to push for an inquest saying that the deportation of Walus had reignited a desire for truth and accountability.

Last week, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, during a media briefing in Pretoria, announced the news of Walus’s deportation.

“On 21 November 2022, the Constitutional Court ordered that Walus be placed on parole within 10 days of the date of the order, in line with applicable legislation.

“At the time, the applicable parole period was two years. Janusz Walus was subsequently placed on parole on 7 December 2022, subject to parole conditions.

“Today, the 6th December 2024, the parole period of Janusz Walus has come to an end, in line with the Constitutional Court decision. Since Janusz Walus no longer holds any South African-enabling documents, the Department of Home Affairs will be deporting him,” Ntshavheni explained.

She conceded that a government delegation led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile had received a request for an inquest from Hani’s widow and the SACP.

“The request will be referred to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development,” Ntshavheni said.

However, GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron welcomed the news of Walus’s deportation saying it was “good riddance to bad rubbish”.

“The assassination of Chris Hani, in 1993, nearly derailed negotiations to end apartheid… While we say good riddance to bad rubbish – to Walus – we call on government to do more to implement the recommendations of the TRC, to carry out prosecutions, to spend the money languishing in the president’s fund and to reduce inequality,” Herron said.