Janusz Walus, the convicted killer of South African anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani. REUTERS/Files
THE government has announced that it will be deporting Janusz Walus, who was convicted of killing South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani.
This was announced by minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, during a media briefing held at GCIS Auditorium Tshedimosetso House, in Pretoria on Friday.
Ntshavheni was joined by newly appointed minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kabuyi-Ngubane, Home Affairs minister Dr Leon Schreiber and Correctional Services minister Pieter Groenewald.
This was to update the nation on the parole status of Walus, a convicted murderer who killed Hani in 1993.
During her address, Ntshavheni said Walus was first sentenced to death on October 15, 1993.
“On November 7, 2000, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment,” she said.
Ntshavheni said Walus held dual citizenship of Poland and South Africa from 1986 to 2017.
“His South African citizenship was revoked in 2017, and he now holds only Poland citizenship,” said Ntshavheni.
She stressed that over the years many of those who served as minister of correctional services had denied Walus’s application for parole since 2011.
“On November 12, in 2022, the Constitutional Court ordered that Walus be placed on parole within 10 days of the date of the order, in line with the applicable legislation.”
She said at that time, the legislation prescribed a parole period of two years.
“Then Walus was subsequently placed on December 2, 2022, and subject to the parole conditions,” Ntshavheni said.
Ntshavheni confirmed to the media that the parole period of Walus had come to an end and that he would be deported back to his homeland.
Walus no longer holds any South African enabling documents, the Department of Home Affairs will deport him to his country,she said.
“This morning the National Commissioner of the Correctional Services will be handing Janus Walus to the Department of Home Affairs for deportation,” she added.
Ntshavheni said the deportation will be handled and monitored by the National Joint and Operational Structures, commonly known as the Natjoint following a cabinet briefing earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs minister Dr Leon Schreiber confirmed that his department will be deporting Waluz to his homeland.
Ntshavheni added that deputy President Paul Mashatile, herself, Justice and Constitutional Development Mamoloko Kabuyi-Ngubane, Home Affairs minister Dr Leon Schreiber will visit the family of Hani to inform them about the development on the case of Walus.
“During this engagement, the government delegation will receive a request for an inquest from Mr Hani’s wife - the widow, and the South African Communist Party (SACP). The inquest will be referred to the Department of Justice and Correctional Services to process it,” said Ntshavheni.