Johannesburg - Thursday marks the 21st anniversary of Chris Hani’s death.
Janusz Walus assassinated the struggle hero outside his home in Dawn Park, Boksburg, using a pistol given to him by Clive Derby-Lewis.
In the days following his murder, it was feared that the country would descend into civil war as the oppressed black community was deeply hurt and angered by the act of violence.
In an appeal for peace at the time, Nelson Mandela said: “The cold-blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shockwaves throughout the country and the world…
“Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for – the freedom of all of us.”
Walus and Derby-Lewis were sentenced to death for the murder.
Aged 61 and 78 respectively, the pair have recently been at the receiving end of prison violence, having both been stabbed with a spoon in February.
Last month, an inmate stabbed Derby-Lewis with a piece of broken glass.
The City of Ekurhuleni was to host the 21st commemoration of Hani’s death at Thomas Nkobi Memorial Park in Boksburg on Thursday.
The programme was to begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at Hani’s gravesite.
The Star