The Constitutional Court’s ruling that Janusz Walus be granted parole has evoked conflicting emotions in Struggle stalwart Mac Maharaj.
Walus shot dead Chris Hani in 1993. At the time Hani, an icon of the liberation Struggle, was the leader of the South African Communist Party.
After his arrest, the police searched his home. In the top drawer of a desk, they found a list with nine names on it. They were: Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo, Maharaj, Karen Brynard, Hani, Pik Botha, Richard Goldstone, Ken Owen and Tim du Plessis. The police believed it was a hit list.
At the time, Maharaj was involved in the negotiations to end apartheid. After democracy he served in the Cabinet, and later as a special advisor and spokesperson in the Presidency.
Now retired, the…
