Johannesburg - The SACP and the Hani family announced that they were going to approach the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in response to the Constitutional Court's judgment to place Janusz Waluś on parole.
SACP head Chris Hani was assassinated by Walus in 1993.
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola announced that he placed Waluś on parole under strict conditions, with effect from last Wednesday.
The Concourt dismissed the SACP and Hani’s widow, Limpho Hani’s, application to reverse its ruling on Waluś, a Polish immigrant on parole after serving a life sentence.
On Saturday, SACP and the Hani family expressed being deeply disappointed by the decision of the Concourt dismissing their application for its reconsideration and rescission of its judgment of November 21 this year.
SACP spokesperson Dr Alex Mashilo said, arguing that “there was much overlap between the submissions of the minister and those of the applicants” (the SACP and the Hani family) in its decision, the Concourt moved from implying to concluding that it had considered their submissions by considering the minister’s submissions when it ordered him to place the convicted assassin on parole.
“This matter cannot end here. Having exhausted all legal avenues available in South Africa, the SACP and the Hani family are determinantly continuing with following the avenue to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in response to the Constitutional Court judgment," Mashilo said.
He said, “We are also continuing with the 135-day programme of mass mobilisation we have adopted together with our Alliance partners, the ANC and Cosatu, supported by a wide array of associated and other organisations. This programme will culminate in the 30th anniversary of the commemoration of Chris Hani's assassination. We will evaluate progress at that time and consider the way forward.”
Mashilo said Waluś, who assassinated Hani in cold blood, was an unrepentant assassin who did not make a full disclosure of the truth, resulting in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission denying him amnesty.
Mashilo said the assassin was acting in defence of the racist apartheid regime, against SA’s transition to democracy.
“We also demand a full inquest into the assassination of Hani. We want full disclosure of the truth and all the circumstances surrounding the assassination, for justice to take its course.
“Our recently held Central Committee Plenary expanded the campaign to cover other apartheid victims and seek justice for their families,” Mashilo said.
Waluś’ parole release was delayed after an inmate stabbed him in his upper body after the Concourt ordered his release.
According to a Twitter user, Jabulani Nzilane, the stabbing of Waluś was gang-related and not connected to Hani’s murder.
“The news of the stabbing of Waluś made headlines but the media failed to mention that Waluś was a numbers gang member in jail and his stabbing was related to that, not Chris Hani's murder. It shows that the media is controlled by some sinister authority," wrote Nzilane.
The Star