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The imminent release of Janusz Walus, the assassin of communist leader Chris Hani, does not pass in South Africa. To denounce this decision, the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the ANC organized a small rally in front of the Constitutional Court.
With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Roman Song
The weak mobilization contrasts with the testimonies of anger that have been expressed for a week in the media and on social networks. The decision to release Janusz Walus is misunderstood, as Solly Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party, points out. “ He never told the truth. That’s why we always opposed his release. The Constitutional Court ignored our rights as victims, as well as the rights of comrade Hani’s family. »
The misunderstanding has sometimes turned into a direct attack on the South African judicial system. Some criticism coming from the ANC, the ruling party. This distrust vis-Ã -vis the Constitutional Court shocks part of public opinion.
” He shouldn’t expect a warm welcome »
Criticizing the judges is not calling into question the Constitution, defends Panyaza Lesufi, provincial president of the ANC. ” We voice our disappointment, our feeling of betrayal. But we are an institution that respects the law and the Constitutionhe shouts. We even recognize the rights of this murderer, but he must know that we are angry and that he should not expect a warm welcome when he leaves prison. »
Janusz Walus is to be released after 29 years behind bars. This Pole, now 69 years old, and far-right activist killed Chris Hani in April 1993 to destabilize the country at the approach of the first democratic elections in 1994, ending the apartheid regime. Sentenced first to the death penalty and then to life in prison, he has been eligible for parole since 2005, but his requests had always been rejected. On Monday, November 21, the Constitutional Court ordered his release within 10 days.