African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has condemned the deportation of Chris Hani's killer Janusz Waluś to his homeland, Poland, without a ‘full confession of his actions and conspiracies’ calling it an ‘injustice.’
Mbalula’s remarks come after the government announced that it would be deporting Waluś, who was convicted of killing South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani, in 1993.
This was announced by the minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, during a media briefing held at GCIS Auditorium Tshedimosetso House, in Pretoria on Friday.
During her address, Ntshavheni said Waluś was first sentenced to death on October 15, 1993, for the assassination of SACP’s struggle stalwart - Hani.
Ntshavheni confirmed to the media that the parole period of Waluś has come to an end after serving nearly 30 years of life imprisonment and that he will be deported back to his homeland of Poland.
Speaking at a separate media briefing, on Friday regarding the socio-economic developments and the state of affairs of the country, Mabula described his deportation without a ‘full confession of his actions and conspiracies’ as an ‘injustice.’
“Janusz Waluś deprived South Africa of one of its greatest leaders. His release without a full confession of his actions and conspiracies remains an injustice,” Mbalula said.
Mbalula said the scar caused to Hani’s family and the nation is still fresh from healing.
“The heavy blow that was inflicted on the nation is palpably fresh, considering its painful effect on comrade Chris's children and his wife comrade Aus Dimpo Annie.”
Mbalula said the assassination of Hani was well-orchestrated scheme designed to plunge the country into chaos and attempt to subvert the cause for a negotiated political settlement.
“Thus, deferring a dream for democratic South Africa, after many years of apartheid subjugation.”
Mbalula added: “This was well calculated. Ironically, the killing of comrade Chris Hani.”
Mbalula described Hani as a selfless and disciplined commissar of the uMkhonto weSizwe - the people’s army (the ANC).
“He brought us the freedom and the rights we enjoy today,” Mbalula added.
He said the deportation of Waluś was a sad and painful moment for Hani’s family, the ANC, the working class and poor and the SACP, of which he was the secretary general.
Mbalula called on Waluś to tell the truth about Hani’s assassination.
“We call on the conscience of Janusz Waluś to tell the whole truth that orchestrated this heinous act,” he said.
Mbalula also called for a comprehensive inquiry into the assassination of Hani to uncover the full scope of this crime and bring closure to his family, the ANC and South Africans.
“South Africa is not the ‘home of assassins and murders, Waluś must leave the country now,” Mbalula said.
Ntshavheni confirmed to the media that the parole period of Walus had come to an end on Friday, in line with the Constitutional Court’s decision.
She said that since Waluś was no longer holding any South African enabling documents, the Department of Home Affairs would deport him to his homeland.
“This morning the National Commissioner of the Correctional Services will be handing Janus Walus to the Department of Home Affairs for deportation,” she added.
Ntshavheni said the deportation will be handled and monitored by the National Joint and Operational Structures, commonly known as the Natjoint following a cabinet briefing earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber confirmed that his department will be deporting Waluz to his homeland.
Ntshavheni added that Deputy President Paul Mashatile, herself, Justice and Constitutional Development Mamoloko Kabuyi-Ngubane, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber will visit the family of Hani to inform them about the development on the case of Walus.
“During this engagement, the government delegation will receive a request for an inquest from Mr Hani’s wife - the widow, and the South African Communist Party (SACP). The inquest will be referred to the Department of Justice and Correctional Services to process it,” said Ntshavheni.
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