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Can SA forgive Janusz Walus?

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If various government departments and political parties have their way, Janusz Walus, the man who assassinated SA Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani in 1993, will not enjoy the freedom he just won from the courts.

The reaction from the departments of justice and home affairs, along with responses from the SACP and the ANC to Walus’ court-ordered parole in 10 days’ time, indicates that the decision has tested some South Africans’ capacity to forgive apartheid-related crimes.

Mthunzi Mhaga, spokesperson for Justice Minister Michael Masutha, yesterday told City Press that they were still scrutinising the judgment and would be meeting with lawyers to discuss the matter.

On Friday, Masutha told the SABC that they were “most likely going to appeal” the court’s decision to free Walus. The minister had set aside Walus’ application for parole earlier this year.

The department of home affairs was assessing its options, said spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete.

“Our focus right now is to not be a distraction to the deliberations the department of justice is currently undertaking. The time for us to speak will come,” he said.

Walus is a naturalised South African citizen. He was born and grew up in Poland.

The SA Citizenship Act makes a provision for the minister of home affairs to revoke the citizenship of a naturalised South African “if the minister is satisfied that it is in the public interest that such citizen shall cease to be a South African”.

On Thursday, the ANC demanded that Walus be deported to his country of origin on his release.

Yesterday, ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said they would support any appeal process to keep Walus in jail and would also engage relevant authorities regarding his deportation.

“Janusz is a very dangerous criminal who was hired by the right wing to precipitate a civil war in South Africa,” said Kodwa.

The SACP’s second deputy general secretary, Solly Mapaila, said the organisation wanted Walus to remain in jail for the remainder of his life.

“Our attorneys have indicated to us that there are huge prospects for a successful appeal because a number of processes were not followed,” he said.

If Walus is released, the SACP wants him to remain in South Africa “because, if we send him to Poland, we are not sure whether he will comply with the parole conditions”.

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