The paper reported on Tuesday that convicted killer Derby-Lewis's attorney Marius Coertze indicated that Derby-Lewis wanted to meet Hani's widow, Limpho.
"He is very sorry about the whole thing," Coertze said.
Limpho was reportedly reluctant and asked for privacy as the family was preparing for the 20-year anniversary of Hani's killing on April 10.
South African Communist Party spokesperson Malesela Maleka said Derby-Lewis needed to reveal more about the assassination.
"There is an outstanding matter with them as far as the [Truth and Reconciliation Commission] is concerned; they need to have full disclosure from the people who were involved in the assassination of Chris Hani … That's the reason they were denied amnesty. They did not tell the truth."
Denied medical parole
It was reported on Sunday that Derby-Lewis, who has been diagnosed with hypertension and cancer, was denied medical parole.
In 2011, he was also denied medical parole.
Derby-Lewis was sentenced to 25 years' in prison for his role in the 1993 killing.
He arranged a firearm for hit-man Janusz Waluś. Both were initially sentenced to death but this was commuted to life in prison when the death penalty was abolished. – Sapa