Janusz Waluś is to come to Poland. His crime shocked South Africa Photo. Maciej Luczniewski/REPORTER
Tip the author
Tip the author
As we reported in November 2022, a court in South Africa decided that Janusz Waluś would be released conditionally. The Pole had been serving a 29-year life sentence there for the murder of Chris Hani, the leader of the South African Communist Party.
However, as Onet has now established, he is to come to Poland in the coming weeks, but according to the law in South Africa, he can leave the country no earlier than two years after his conditional release. This deadline is now passing.
The portal asked the Polish consulate of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria about him. “We cannot provide more information due to the procedures adopted in the ministry for the circulation and provision of information, as well as the specificity of Mr. Janusz Waluś’s situation, including his personal safety” – was provided to Onet in a response signed by Robert Rusiecki, head of the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria .
Janusz Waluś was born in 1953 in Zakopane, he also had South African citizenship. In 1981, he emigrated to South Africa, where he joined his father and brother, who had been there for several years.
The Waluś family ran a small glassworks there, but when the business went bankrupt, the father left, his brother found another job, and Janusz Waluś himself became a truck driver. In 1986, he became a citizen and became involved in political activities.
Waluś became famous a few years ago when, thanks to a report by Superwizjer, it turned out that the Pride and Modernity association (the one that celebrated Hitler’s birthday and which was dissolved by the court) was conducting a collection for Waluś. In addition, the collection was registered on the Public Collection Portal belonging to the Ministry of Interior and Administration.
On April 10, 1993, Janusz Waluś shot Chris Hani, the black leader of the communist party. He did it in front of his own house. As a result, 1.5 million people took to the streets, almost a civil war broke out, and the situation was miraculously brought under control.
The Pole became a synonym for apartheid, racism and terrorism there. The person concerned himself emphasized years later that he had committed a “grave sin”, but had not shown any remorse.
This is what he said in court about the incident: “He was getting out of his car. I put the Z88 pistol in the belt at the back of my pants and approached him. I didn’t want to shoot him in the back, so I called out: Mister Hania. He turned around and I pulled out the gun and shot him When he fell over, I shot him a second time. This time, when he fell to the ground, I fired two more shots at his temple. I then got into the car and drove away as fast as I could it was possible.”
Read also:
Right, let’s have a look at this then. Janusz Waluś, the bloke who bumped off Chris Hani, is coming back to Poland. Now, I don’t know about you, but I always thought South Africa was a bit rough around the edges, but apparently, they’re letting murderers pop off to Eastern Europe for a bit of pierogi and vodka.
Waluś, eh? Sounds like a bloke who wouldn’t say no to a good steak. Except, of course, he’s a veggie now, innit? Because, you know, karma. Turns out shooting a prominent communist leader in cold blood doesn’t exactly make you popular at the veggie barbecue.
He’s been banging on about "grave sin" this and "no remorse" that, but somehow I don’t think the South African government are going to be sending him a graduation certificate in repentance any time soon. More like a one-way ticket to Krakow, where he can blend in with the crowds, possibly while wearing a very, very large hat.
And the Polish consulate? Tight-lipped as a teenager on prom night. Safety concerns, they’re bleating. Hope they’ve got a good iron bar arrangement at the embassy. I wouldn’t want to be the bloke delivering his takeaway.
You see, this is the thing about history, innit? Doesn’t matter how far you run, it always catches up to you. Like a toddler with a dirty nappy. And Janusz, my friend, you stink.
Oh, and the bit about the Pride and Modernity lot collecting for him? Classic! Makes you wonder if they were planning to
build a statue of him outside Tesco. "Waluś: He loved sausages…and shooting communists."
Anyway, keep your eyes peeled, Poland. A very special guest is coming to town. And bring your own body armor. You never know what might happen when a bloke with a Z88 and a grudge comes knocking.
taps microphone
Is this thing on?
How do South Africans who view Waluś’s return as a symbol of a dark chapter in their history differ from those who see it as a sign of reconciliation?
## Interview Re: Janusz Waluś’s Return to Poland
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Renata Kowalska, political analyst specializing in South African history and politics. Dr. Kowalska, thanks for your time.
**Dr. Kowalska:** My pleasure.
**Host:** We’re discussing the news that Janusz Waluś, the Polish immigrant convicted for the murder of Chris Hani in South Africa, is soon to be returning to Poland. Can you give us some context for our viewers who may not be familiar with this case?
**Dr. Kowalska:** Certainly. In 1993, Janusz Waluś assassinated Chris Hani, a prominent leader of the South African Communist Party and a key figure in the fight against apartheid. Hani’s assassination was a deeply traumatic event for South Africa, as it threatened to derail the country’s transition to democracy. Waluś was sentenced to life imprisonment and served nearly three decades before being granted parole in 2022. [ [1](https://www.africanews.com/2022/11/30/chris-hani-killer-janusz-walus-stabbed-in-south-african-prison//)]
**Host:** So, after serving his sentence, he’s now being allowed to return to Poland. Do we know anything about his plans for the future?
**Dr. Kowalska:**
Not much has been officially confirmed. The Polish consulate in South Africa has declined to comment on the details of his return, citing reasons of privacy and security. [ [1](https://www.africanews.com/2022/11/30/chris-hani-killer-janusz-walus-stabbed-in-south-african-prison//)]
**Host:** This is a highly sensitive case. What kind of reaction can we expect in South Africa to Waluś’s return to Poland?
**Dr. Kowalska:** Understandably, there’s likely to be a complex and mixed reaction.
For many South Africans, particularly those who remember the turmoil and pain caused by Hani’s assassination, Waluś remains a symbol of a dark chapter in their history. His return could revive painful memories and potentially reignite tensions. However, others may see his release and return as a sign of reconciliation and the completion of a chapter in South Africa’s past.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Kowalska, for sharing your insights with us today. This is definitely a story we’ll continue to follow closely.
**Dr. Kowalska:** You’re welcome.
