Janusz Walus, who assassinated anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani in 1993, is set to be deported to Poland after nearly thirty years in prison. His release sparked protests in South Africa, where Hani is considered a national hero. The South African government, affirming adherence to a Constitutional Court decision, confirmed that the Polish government would finance Walus’s deportation. The incident continues to evoke strong emotions linked to the history of apartheid.
The South African government has announced that Janusz Walus, a far-right extremist involved in the assassination of anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani, is scheduled for deportation back to Poland. Walus, now aged 71, murdered Hani outside his residence in 1993, during a pivotal moment when South Africa was navigating its transition to democracy. Following nearly thirty years of imprisonment, Walus was granted parole in 2022, which incited significant public protest due to the historical weight of his crime. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber confirmed that the Polish government would fund his deportation.
Schreiber described the day as “painful” and reflective of the “dark time” during the apartheid era. Meanwhile, Limpho Hani, the widow of Chris Hani, expressed her heartbreak over the government’s last-minute notification regarding Walus’s release and deportation. She criticized both the South African government and the South African Communist Party for failing to inform her of this significant development in a timely manner.
The African National Congress (ANC), the party Hani represented, lamented the repercussions of his murder, stating that it robbed South Africa of one of its prominent leaders. The party’s secretarial leader echoed sentiments of injustice regarding Walus’s potential return to Poland without a full admission of his role in Hani’s assassination. Janusz Walus migrated from Poland to South Africa in 1981, where he was initially granted citizenship. However, following his conviction for Hani’s murder, this status was revoked. Although Walus is regarded as a prominent figure among certain far-right groups in Poland, he has persistently shown no remorse for his actions.
Janusz Walus’s deportation comes at a significant moment in South African history, emblematic of the ongoing struggles related to the legacy of apartheid and race relations within the nation. Chris Hani was an influential figure in the fight against apartheid, representing hope for millions in South Africa. His assassination was not only a personal tragedy but also a national crisis, with many fearing it would ignite a racial conflagration. The ex-Citizen, polarized opinions on Walus reflect broader societal issues concerning justice and reconciliation in a racially diverse nation still healing from its past oppression.
In conclusion, the deportation of Janusz Walus back to Poland underscores the enduring impact of Chris Hani’s assassination on contemporary South African society. This event illuminates the painful memories of apartheid and raises important questions about accountability, justice, and the commemoration of those who fought for freedom. The reaction from Hani’s family and the ANC highlights the ongoing struggles against racism and the need for comprehensive acknowledgment of past atrocities to foster genuine healing in the nation.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
