Pretoria - SACP leader Chris Hani’s killer, Janusz Walus, will have to remain in jail for now.
The high court in Pretoria on Tuesday turned down an application for Walus to be released on parole pending the outcome of all appeal proceedings instituted by Justice Minister Michael Masutha.
The minister petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein for leave to appeal against an order granting Walus parole.
Judge Nicolene Janse van Nieuwenhuizen earlier ordered that Walus had to be released within 14 (working) days of her granting the order. But the fact that the minister noted his intention to appeal, suspended her order.
Walus’s legal team last week asked the judge to grant their client parole pending the outcome of appeal proceedings. It was argued that this matter will probably end up in the Constitutional Court, which could take up to two years.
According to his legal team, he would suffer irreparable harm if he was not released now.
The judge, in turning down this application, said Walus did not prove any exceptional circumstances as to why he should be released at this stage. She said he will have to wait until the SCA has ruled on whether to grant him parole or not.
The Kgosi Mampuru II Prison in Pretoria has been Walus’s home for nearly 23 years.