South African Communist Party
Statement on the Supreme Court of Appeals' decision to postpone appeal hearing on Janus Walusz parole
Bloemfontein, 5 May 2017
The South African Communist Party welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeals (SCA) taken today regarding Walusz's parole. The SCA said it was concerned there was an irregularity in the process of Walusz parole consideration: The Hani family, the victim impact statement was not considered when at the outset the decision on Walsz's parole was taken. The SCA therefore postponed the appeal hearing that was scheduled to take place today, to 29 May to allow additional heads of arguments pertaining the irregularity.
The SCA's correct decision stands in sharp contrast to the unfair argument by the North Gauteng High Court Judge Nicoline Janse Van Niewenhuizen who granted Walusz parole a year ago. Judge Van Niewenhuizen remarked that the views of the Hani family did not matter, and that the family had to move on after 23 years of the murder. The SACP condemned this inconsiderate, insensitive, uncaring remarks which we believe played a central role in her decision to grant Walusz parole.