7th April 1999
The South African Communist Party welcomes the decision of the TRC Amnesty Committee not to grant amnesty to the two convicted killers of our late general secretary, comrade Chris Hani.
From the outset of this amnesty hearing, the SACP had joined Limpho Hani and the family in opposing amnesty. As the hearings proceeded, the SACP became more and more convinced that amnesty in this case should not be awarded.
Walus and Derby-Lewis were arrogant, evasive, and often untruthful. We believe that they failed to meet any of the basic requirements for amnesty. The SACP has supported the TRC process, and the principle of awarding amnesties where it is appropriate in terms of the law.
Today's decision by the Amnesty Committee lends legitimacy and integrity to that overall TRC process.
We should remind ourselves that both Walus and Derby-Lewis were both sentenced to death before the 1994 elections. They can count themselves extremely lucky that they are prisoners under an ANC-alliance dispensation, in which the death penalty has been abolished. They can also count themselves fortunate that it is the ANC that will, once more, win an overwhelming mandate in the elections. Some of Walus and Derby-Lewis's right-wing friends have a different view on the death penalty.
Issued by the SACP Department of Information & Publicity
E-Mail: sacp1@wn.apc.org
South African Communist Party Head Office
COSATU House
No. 1 Leyds Street - 7th Floor
Braamfontein 2001
Republic of South Africa
(Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2)
(Fax: 27 11 339-4244)