Janusz Walus deported to Poland
The deportation follows after Walus served two years on parole, as ordered by the Constitutional Court, which ended today.
Janusz Walus, the convicted murderer of South African struggle hero Chris Hani, will be deported to Poland today. Meanwhile Hani’s family has asked for an inquest into his death.
This was announced by Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, during a media briefing held in Pretoria.
Walus, a Polish right-wing extremist, assassinated the South African Communist Party (SACP) Secretary General in 1993 during a sensitive time in South Africa’s democratic transition, causing widespread outrage.
It prompted the negotiations for a free and fair South Africa and brought about the setting of April 27, 1994 as the day of the first democratic general elections.
Walus was sentenced to death for Hani’s murder. However, this was commuted to a life sentence. Several applications for parole by Walus have since been consistently denied until his most recent application.
“On November 21, 2022, the Constitutional Court ordered that Junusz 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. Walus was subsequently placed on parole on December 7, 2022, subject to parole conditions.
“Today, December 6, 2024, the parole period of Walus has come to an end, in line with the Constitutional Court decision. Since Walus no longer holds any South African enabling documents, the Department of Home Affairs will be deporting him,” Ntshavheni explained.
The National Commissioner of Correctional Services will formally hand over Walus to the Department of Home Affairs for deportation.
This process will be handled by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS).
Ntshavheni said a delegation of high-ranking government leaders visited the Hani family to deliver the news of Walus’ deportation.
“In preparation for this deportation, Cabinet assigned the Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi and Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, to visit the family of the late Hani to inform them of these developments.
“During this engagement, government delegation received a request for an inquest from Hani’s wife and the SACP. The request will be referred to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za
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