SACP in the WC condemns Janusz Waluś’ deportation

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Western Cape has condemned the deportation of Polish immigrant, Janusz Waluś. Waluś was paroled in 2022 for the assassination of SACP General Secretary, Chris Hani, 31 years ago.

Speaking at the Provincial SACP Council, Provincial Secretary, Benson Ngqentsu says the party was initially against the granting of the parole. The Provincial Council is in preparation of the SACP’s Fifth Special Congress next Wednesday.

Gathered to prepare and consolidate the party’s position from provincial delegates attending the Special Congress in Gauteng next week. The SACP says it will continue engaging the South African government to seek the repatriation of Waluś to face an inquest in South Africa.

“The processes leading up to his deportation confirm the rightward shift in this government. And actually, who is responsible for Correctional Services ideologically and politically? I would link him with this right wing of Poland Janusz Waluś. So, these are the things that anger us and there is no doubt given the situation in Poland, he will be given a hero’s welcome,” says Ngqentsu.

Alliance partner, Cosatu in the Western Cape, has also weighed in on the deportation saga calling for a repatriation.

“For us a nation, we want answers. Who was the mastermind behind this whole thing. There’s no real closure for the family. So, we are saying the government has failed the family of Chris Hani. It’s good for him to be deported, but he is going to his country with all the secrets,” says Melvern de Bruyn, Cosatu Provincial Secretary.

The provincial council is a forum to take stock of the political matters in the party and takes place annually. This one is the first of its kind following the general elections in May.

“That special congress is important to us because we want to use it as a platform to asset the political independence of the South African Communist Party within the body politics of the broader congress movement and also broader society and given the post may 2024 general elections where we have seen a re-alignment of neo-liberal class forces,” Ngqentsu added.

The SACP Fifth Special Congress is expected to consolidate its decision to go it alone at the polls when local government elections take place in 2026.

Video: SACP condemns deportation of Janus Walusz