ConCourt orders Lamola to release Janusz Waluś on parole

The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) has ruled that Chris Hani’s killer Janusz Waluś be released on parole within 10 days.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, the ConCourt found that the decision by Justice Minister Ronald Ramola not to grant Waluś parole in 2020 was irrational.

“The minister of justice and correctional services is ordered to place the applicant [Janusz Waluś] on parole on such terms and conditions as he may deem appropriate, and to take all such steps as may need to be taken to ensure that the applicant is released on parole within 10 calendar days from the date of this order,” Zondo ruled.

Lamola was ordered to pay the costs of the application. 

ALSO READ: Walus has shown remorse for killing Chris Hani, says his lawyer

Waluś, a Polish immigrant, is serving a life sentence at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria for killing Hani outside his home in Boksburg on 10 April 1993, with the support of Clive Derby-Lewis.

Hani was the South African Communist Party‘s (SACP) general secretary and a former uMkhonto we Sizwe commander.

Waluś had asked the ConCourt to set aside the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) decision to dismiss his leave to appeal against the Pretoria High Court’s judgment that upheld the refusal of his parole by Lamola in March 2020.

The SCA and high court’s judgments were set aside by the ConCourt.

Waluś’ lawyer, Advocate Roelof du Plessis, argued that his client was reformed and had shown remorse for killing Hani.

Du Plessis also argued that Waluś realised that apartheid was wrong and had apologised to the Hani family on several occasions.

Hani’s widow, Limpho, and the SACP have consistently opposed Waluś’ attempts to be released from jail, citing the seriousness of the crime.

This is a developing story. More to follow.

Compiled by Thapelo Lekabe

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