JANUSZ Walus, the man convicted of assassinating South African anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani in 1993, has been deported to Poland following his parole release last year. The 71-year-old Polish immigrant, linked to the far-right, was responsible for the murder that escalated racial tensions and violent protests in South Africa during the transition from apartheid.
Murder of Chris Hani and its aftermath
On April 10, 1993, Walus shot Hani, a prominent leader of the African National Congress (ANC), as he arrived home in Boksburg, a suburb of Johannesburg. At the time, South Africa was in the midst of crucial negotiations to end apartheid and establish democratic elections. Hani’s death, at the age of 50, was a devastating blow to the country’s political stability and further fuelled racial unrest.
Walus was quickly apprehended, with evidence of the crime found in his possession. Initially sentenced to death, Walus’s sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. However, after multiple parole hearings, he was granted parole in November 2022 by South Africa’s highest court, despite public outcry.
Deportation decision
With his parole period expiring, South Africa has now deported Walus to Poland, marking the end of his stay in the country. Minister of the Interior Affairs, Leon Schreiber, confirmed that Poland would cover the cost of his deportation, ensuring that South African taxpayers would not bear the financial burden, including Chris Hani’s widow.
Walus’s release in 2022 stirred deep emotions, reopening wounds from the apartheid era, but his parole period officially concluded on Friday, triggering the deportation. Walus, who had his South African citizenship revoked in 2017, will now solely hold Polish nationality.
Hani’s legacy
Hani’s assassination left a lasting impact on South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement. He remains a revered figure, and his death is commemorated each year, honouring his contributions to the struggle for freedom and equality.
