/ 10 March 2016

Chris Hani’s killer Janusz Walus granted parole

A dedication to Chris Hani on the 20th anniversary of his death.
A dedication to Chris Hani on the 20th anniversary of his death.

The North Gauteng High Court on Thursday ordered that Janusz Walus, the assassin of Chris Hani, be freed on parole and given bail conditions.

“Yes, he got parole,” his lawyer, Roelof du Plessis, told News24 on Thursday.

However, justice ministry spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said the ministry was still studying the judgment and would decide whether to appeal it.

“I cannot confirm that he will be freed on parole. What I can confirm is that the judge said he must be placed on parole in 14 days and given bail conditions,” Mhaga told ANA.

“We still have to reflect on the judgment and decide whether we will appeal or not,” he added.

Walus, a Polish immigrant, shot and killed South African Communist Party leader Hani on Easter Sunday April 10 1993. He was initially sentenced to death but this was converted to life in prison after the abolition of capital punishment. 

Clive Derby-Lewis
In May 2015, Clive Derby-Lewis, who was convicted of being a co-conspirator in Hani’s murder and supplying the gun used by Walus, was granted medical parole after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer

Derby-Lewis, who  also escaped the death penalty when capital punishment was abolished, had served over 21 years in prison. 

His earlier applications for parole were unsuccessful.

– African News Agency and News24