Janusz Waluś is to come to Poland. His crime shocked South Africa Photo. Maciej Luczniewski/REPORTER
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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 into his temple. Then I got into the car and drove away as fast as I could it was possible.”
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Right, let’s have a chinwag about this "Janusz Waluś" character, shall we? The bloke’s coming to Poland, apparently. After, I don’t know, chilling in South Africa for nearly thirty years for bumping off Chris Hani, the leader of , erm, the South African Communist Party. Now, I’m not saying the bloke was a saint, mind you. Sounds a bit dodgy, doesn’t he, shooting someone in front of their own house? Bang, bang, bang, just like that. No remorse, apparently. Says it was a "grave sin" but still, finishing someone off like that deserves a bit more of a ‘mea culpa’, don’t you think?
It’s baffling, isn’t it? The bloke becomes some kind of poster boy for apartheid, racism, all that nasty business. And then he gets released, on parole, mind you, after roughly thirty years. You’d think they’d lock him up and throw away the key, wouldn’t you? But no, he gets to swan around, planning his return to Poland.
Now, I don’t know about you, but the whole thing stinks a bit, doesn’t it? Like a week-old sock wedged under the sofa. South Africa seems mighty keen to get rid of him, what with him being a walking, talking symbol of their troubled past. Can’t blame them, can you? And Poland, well, they’re welcoming him back with open arms, it seems.
But here’s the kicker – the bloke’s been collecting dosh from some dodgy right-wing groups. You know, the type that celebrate Hitler’s birthday with a slice of cake and a chorus of "Sieg Heil!" Doesn’t exactly scream ‘rehabilitated’ does it?
So here we are, waiting with bated breath to see what this charming chap gets up to next. Will he start a new life as a pious farmer? More likely, he’ll be back to his old tricks, stirring up trouble, causing a right old ruckus.
One thing’s for sure, it’ll be bloody entertaining.
What measures, if any, have been taken by South African and Polish authorities to address concerns surrounding Waluś’s extremist ideologies and potential influence?
## A Murky Past: Janusz Waluś Returns to Poland
**Interviewer:** We’re joined today by Dr. [Guest Name], a historian specializing in South African politics, to discuss the recent news of Janusz Waluś’ impending return to Poland. Dr. [Guest Name], can you tell us a little about who Mr. Waluś is and why his arrival is creating such a stir?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Certainly. Janusz Waluś is a Polish citizen who was convicted of the 1993 assassination of Chris Hani, a prominent anti-apartheid leader and head of the South African Communist Party.[[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Chris_Hani)] This act sent shockwaves through South Africa, impacting the already fragile transition from apartheid to democracy.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like his crime was deeply divisive.
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Absolutely. Hani was a widely respected figure, and his murder nearly triggered a full-blown racial civil war. Waluś became a symbol of opposition to the anti-apartheid movement and his actions resonated with far-right ideologies. His early release, granted on parole after serving 29 years, and now this imminent return to Poland has reopened old wounds for many South Africans.
**Interviewer:** What are the prevailing sentiments in Poland regarding his return?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** There are mixed reactions. Some see him as a victim of circumstance who has served his time and deserves a chance to rebuild his life. Others are concerned about the extremist ideologies he represented and question whether he truly renounced those beliefs. The Polish consulate in South Africa has remained tight-lipped, citing concerns for his safety and privacy.
**Interviewer:** What do you make of this situation?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** This is a complex case with no easy answers. It forces us to confront difficult questions about justice, rehabilitation, and the legacy of racism. It remains to be seen how Waluś’ return will unfold and what impact it will have on South Africa and Poland.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. [Guest Name], for shedding light on this complicated issue.
