麻豆社

South Africa's constitutional court has ordered the release on parole of the killer of prominent anti-apartheid leader - and leader of the South African Communist Party - Chris Hani.

Janusz Walus killed Hani in 1993 in a failed attempt to derail South Africa's transition from white-minority rule to democratic rule. He has served nearly three decades in jail for the murder.

During the last few years of apartheid, Hani was also chief of staff of the armed wing of the African National Congress.

South Africa's current Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo, said Chris Hani's murder had nearly plunged South Africa into civil unrest. But, he said Mr Walus was entitled to parole and must be released from prison within ten days.聽

Mr Hani's widow, Limpho Hani, described the decision to release her husband's murderer as "truly diabolical."聽

Verashni Pillay, a South African journalist, describes the public reaction to the decision:

"People are extremely disappointed, shocked, outraged, but also divided. There are many saying this is a terrible decision but a lot of voices that say that this is what sets us apart as a democratic country."

(Photo: Chris Hani, secretary general of South African Communist Party (SACP) salutes delegates at the closure of their first congress inside South Africa in 41 years, in Soweto on December 08, 1991. Credit: Walter Dhladhla/AFP via Getty Images)

Show less