Janusz Waluś arrived in Poland on Saturday morning after being deported from South Africa on Friday.
His return to his homeland, which he left 43 years ago when he emigrated to South Africa, went largely unnoticed. Some right-wing Polish organisations have voiced support for him in the past, but there was no welcoming party at the Warsaw airport.
“No journalists, no futbol fans,” his daughter Ewa told the Sunday Times in a text message.
The right-wing extremist, who was convicted along with the late Clive Derby-Lewis for the 1993 assassination of SACP general secretary Chris Hani, was released from prison two years ago but could not leave South Africa until his parole period was complete.
“He landed in Warsaw at 9.30am South African time,” Ewa said. “It was 8.30am here in Poland. I could not go to the airport because I am ill, but a friend picked him up. I knew that everything was well-organised and he would be cared for.”
She said he would not be living with her.
“He will live in his family house. I have not spoken to him yet, so I do not know what his plans are. I am happy that at least he is a free man. It took years of fighting for equal treatment. His lawyer, Julian Knight, did a great job,” Ewa said.
Knight said Waluś’s release and subsequent deportation was “a victory for the rule of law”.
On Friday home affairs minister Leon Schreiber confirmed Waluś, 71, would fly out the same day and that his travel costs would be covered by the Polish embassy.
“South African taxpayers and Hani’s widow will not be paying for the deportation,” he said.
Schreiber, together with Deputy President Paul Mashatile, minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, visited Hani’s family to inform them of Waluś’s pending departure.
The family and the SACP told the delegation they wanted another inquiry into Hani’s death, saying the full truth had yet to emerge.
SACP spokesperson Alex Mashilo said: “While unrepentant racists and right-wingers in South Africa and Poland may view Waluś as their hero, he is a convicted assassin who sought to defend the perpetuation of the racist regime of apartheid and its social relations. This must be considered a warning.
“Hani will live forever in our hearts and in the programme of the SACP and the working class. We will not rest until the full truth is uncovered, justice is served and the revolutionary values Hani stood for are fully realised.”
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