Release of Hani’s killer on parole slammed
THE EFF has called for an application to rescind the Constitutional Court judgment granting parole to Janusz Walus, the man who killed SACP leader Chris Hani.
The party rejected the ruling, calling it insensitive. It further called for Walus to remain in prison until his death.
“The decision to release Walus is callous, insensitive and regressive, and is made by a self-centred collective led by (Chief Justice) Raymond Zondo, who have spit on the grave of Chris Hani and those who died fighting for the freedom of this country.
“The EFF will do everything humanly possible to refuse and reject the release of Janusz Walus.”
General Ike Maphoto Foundation CEO Samuel Shabback Maphoto said it was the saddest period in SA.
“The foundation is disturbed by the ruling made by the Concourt in granting parole to the people’s number one enemy, who robbed the country of a dynamic leader and a freedom fighter Cde Chris Hani.
“We view this judgment as disdainful to the freedom fighters, the family of Cde Hani and the rest of South Africa’s citizenry.”
Former ANC NEC member and umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association spokesperson Carl Niehaus said he believed that there were ANC people who were involved in the assassination of Hani.
Niehaus said he was in Brakpan at a meeting where Hani severely criticised the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) negotiations just five days before he was assassinated.
“I am still maintaining that the assassination of Hani needs to be properly investigated. I don’t believe it was just one or two strange radical right-wingers who killed him.
“I believe there was a conspiracy. I believe white monopoly capitalism was involved in it.
“I can’t prove it because the investigations had been covered up, but I am convinced that there are ANC people who were involved in the assassination of Hani,” said Niehaus.
Black Land First leader Andile Mgxitama said the release was a slap to the collective of black people.
“Its timing is also sinister in that it coincides with the judgment that seeks to jail Zuma. Hani died for our liberation, and this is how Judge Zondo and the Constitutional Court thanks him. It’s all political tricks played by the judiciary to create chaos and deflections to ensure attention is removed from the Phala Phala crimes.”
Reacting to the judgment, the DA urged respect for Section 165 of the Constitution.
“As a party that upholds the principle of respect for the rule of law we note and accept the findings of the apex court on this matter. Understandably this is an emotional matter for many citizens. However, we urge respect for Section 165 of the Constitution and for the constitutional court and its justices,” said DA leader John Steenhuisen.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said: “Decisions of the courts will only enjoy respect if they serve or facilitate unity of our people.”