Cape Town – The deportation of Janusz Waluś, the convicted assassin of South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani, to Poland has sparked condemnation from African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, who described it as an “injustice”.
Mbalula criticised the decision, citing Waluś’s failure to provide a full confession regarding the assassination and its conspiracies, which he claimed deprived South Africa of one of its greatest leaders and inflicted lasting pain on Hani’s family and the nation.
“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 said during a media briefing on Friday.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has expressed strong criticism of the deportation of Janusz Walus, the convicted assassin of Chris Hani, labeling it an “injustice.”
Mbalula argued that Walus owes South Africans a full explanation and confession regarding his role in the… pic.twitter.com/lXx0ddjV9A
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) December 7, 2024
Government officials, including Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, confirmed Waluś’s deportation following the end of his parole after serving nearly 30 years in prison.
Ntshavheni noted that Waluś no longer holds South African documentation, necessitating his removal.
Mbalula called for a comprehensive inquiry into Hani’s assassination to uncover the full extent of the crime and provide closure to the family and nation.
[HAPPENING NOW] Former uMkhonto we Sizwe commander and anti-apartheid fighter Chris Hani’s assassin, Janusz Waluś arrives at the O.R. Tambo International Airport for his deportation to Poland.
Tune into #Newzroom405 for more. pic.twitter.com/fwjpV2CpAM
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 6, 2024
He emphasised the enduring scars left by Hani’s death and urged Waluś to disclose the truth behind the killing, which he described as a calculated act to destabilise South Africa during its transition to democracy.
Waluś , 71, a Polish immigrant with links to the Afrikaner far right, was convicted for the 1993 murder of Hani, a leader in the freedom-fighting African National Congress, during tense talks to end white rule and hold the first democratic elections.
Calling it a “difficult day for all of us”, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber told a press briefing on Friday that “South African taxpayers, including Chris Hani’s widow, will not be paying for the deportation of this individual.”
He added that Poland would bear the cost.
[Photos] South African Government deports Janusz Jakub Walus to Poland following ConCourt Decision 2022
The handover and deportation process is being overseen by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) following a Cabinet briefing earlier this week.… pic.twitter.com/8ImwamOo1Q— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) December 6, 2024
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
