Ramaphosa ‘disappointed’ at ConCourt’s Walus parole ruling

The apex court this week ordered the release on parole of the Polish immigrant who shot dead then-SACP leader Chris Hani in 1993.

Janusz Walus, 69, has served nearly three decades of a life sentence for the murder, which took South Africa to the brink of a race war as negotiations to end apartheid entered their final phase.

Ramaphosa addressed the media following his state visit to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

“The release of Walus is disappointing because Chris Hani was an iconic figure in a struggle,” Ramaphosa said.

“If you look at it carefully, our democracy was pivoted on the tragedy that I can’t swim through when Chris Hani was killed. So, you could say Chris Hani’ death is part of what spawned the democracy that we have, it’s unfortunate.

“I haven’t looked at the judgment closely myself, but I’d like to do so and see the reasoning behind it. One cannot help but feel the pain the family is going through.”

Ramaphosa also said in he doesn’t believe former president Jacob Zuma should return to jail.

“In my view, the period of Zuma’ sentence seems to have run out, but the court made its decision in this regard.

“I do believe the Department of Correctional services is going to appeal this decision and I think we should allow legal processes to ensue and will see what happens thereafter.”  

The Supreme Court of Appeal on Monday declared Zuma’s release on medical parole invalid and ordered him back to prison pending a decision on time served by the commissioner of correctional services.

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