Janusz Walus, Assassin of Anti-Apartheid Leader, to be Deported to Poland

Janusz Walus, the far-right extremist responsible for murdering anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani in 1993, is set to be deported to Poland. His release in 2022 sparked public protests and reflects ongoing tensions related to apartheid’s legacy. Officials have confirmed the Polish government will bear the cost of his deportation, reminding South Africans of the profound pain associated with Hani’s assassination during a pivotal time in South Africa’s transition to democracy.

Janusz Walus, a notorious far-right extremist who infamously assassinated anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani in 1993, is poised for deportation back to Poland after nearly three decades in a South African prison. Hani’s murder occurred during a crucial period leading up to South Africa’s first multi-racial elections and was perceived as a direct attempt to undermine the nation’s democratic transition. Walus received parole in 2022, which ignited significant protests and widespread public outcry regarding issues of racism and the enduring impact of apartheid in the country.

The South African government has announced that Walus is expected to depart on a scheduled flight, with the Polish authorities covering the costs of his deportation. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber referred to this event as a “painful day,” emphasizing the painful recollections of apartheid that it evokes. South African Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni indicated that the government’s decision complied with a ruling from the Constitutional Court, rather than being a choice made by the authorities themselves.

Limpho Hani, the widow of Chris Hani, expressed her profound distress, criticizing the government and the South African Communist Party (SACP) for their late notification of Walus’s impending release. The African National Congress (ANC), Hani’s political home, lamented the lasting pain stemming from the assassination, stating that Walus “deprived South Africa of one of its greatest leaders.” They reiterated that the deportation serves as a harsh reminder of the violence and sacrifices made during the anti-apartheid struggle.

Janusz Walus emigrated from Poland to South Africa in 1981, later obtaining citizenship, which was subsequently revoked following his conviction for murder. Initially sentenced to death alongside his co-defendant, this punishment was commuted to life in prison after the abolition of the death penalty in South Africa. Notably, Walus had stated, during his testimony before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, that his motive for killing Hani was to incite chaos and facilitate a right-wing takeover.

The assassination of Chris Hani, a prominent figure in the African National Congress and an influential anti-apartheid leader, took place during a critical juncture in South Africa’s path to democracy. The incident occurred on April 10, 1993, within a climate fraught with tension as the nation was preparing for its first democratic elections. Walus, influenced by his experiences in communist Poland, claimed to have targeted Hani to disrupt the political landscape. His actions were perceived as a threat to the fragile peace and stability which the nation desperately sought at that time. Walus’s eventual release from prison in 2022 and his subsequent deportation raise questions about justice and reconciliation in South Africa’s post-apartheid society.

The imminent deportation of Janusz Walus to Poland serves as a significant event in South Africa, stirring emotions related to the legacy of apartheid and the struggle for justice. The decision underscores ongoing tensions around accountability for historical injustices and the impact of Hani’s assassination on the country’s trajectory towards democracy. The ANC and other leaders have called for greater transparency regarding Walus’s motivations and actions, reflecting the desire for a thorough examination of South Africa’s past as it navigates its future.

Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk