Hani’s killer tries again to get out on parole

The decision by former minister of justice Michael Masutha not to place Janusz Walus on parole should not be reviewed and set aside, according to Masutha’s legal team.

Convicted of killing anti-apartheid activist Chris Hani, Walus’ application to set aside the former minister’s decision was heard in the High Court in Pretoria yesterday.

Advocate Roelof du Plessis, on behalf of Walus, said his client had shown remorse for his actions, having apologised to the family and going through extensive rehabilitation.

He said, according to Walus’ psychologists, he had rejected racism, accepted democracy and agreed that “even if he has a problem with communism as an ideology, he will not kill someone who supports the ideology”.

Du Plessis added that Masutha was biased in his decision earlier this year. He said the former minister had “simply noted” critical information from clinical and social workers’ reports which, he added “indicates bias and not taking into account relevant considerations”.

Du Plessis said while psychological assessments concluded that Walus suffered from some psychological problems – such as anger issues and thoughts of suicide – there was not enough clinical indications to confirm that he was depressed.

While Walus was currently undergoing psychotherapy, Du Plessis said, he would benefit from more sessions even after his release.

On behalf of the former minister, however, advocate Marumo Moerane SC said the assertion that Walus was remorseful was unfounded. “This opinion that [Walus] showed no remorse for the murder of Chris Hani … this appears on his clinical observations.”

Moerane said Walus had only apologised to the family some 20 years after the fact, saying that he still maintained the philosophical ideals that underpinned the murder.

Judgment was reserved.