adminThe Herald, April 13 1993
THE cold-blooded murder of South African Communist Party secretary-general Cde Chris Hani, who was gunned down outside his Dawn Park, Boksburg home on Saturday morning, has been received with horror.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cde Nathan Shamuyarira, said Zimbabwe condemned the assassination of Cde Hani in the strongest possible terms and called upon the South African police to fully exert itself in bringing to justice those responsible for the act.
He said Cde Hani would be affectionately remembered by all Zimbabweans, especially those who fought alongside him during the early stages of the liberation war.
“It is ironic that Cde Hani was assassinated after a week speaking out on the need for peace and it is clear his murderers are seeking to further undermine and disrupt the peace process and fan violence in South Africa,” said Cde Shamuyarira in a statement.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
On April 10, the people of South Africa commemorate 28 years since the assassination of one of their most charismatic and popular leaders, Chris Hani.
It remains a highly condemned act, especially when it targets leadership material.
Zimbabwe will also remember Cde Hani as a gallant uMkhonto we Sizwe freedom fighter who fought side-by-side with Zipra combatants in the 60s.
Although Nelson Mandela was out of prison and South Africa was waiting for the first democratic elections, this single act threatened to destabilise the democratic process.
Did Janusz Walus, the Polish immigrant who assassinated Cde Hani cry more than the bereaved? Although his accomplice was arrested, the million dollar question is whether they were acting alone? Were they trying to save the apartheid regime, or the plot was bigger and involved more players who saw Chris Hani as a threat?
Southern Africa must never think that fighting settler colonialism and defeating it, marked the end of colonialists’ desire to reoccupy its land and steal the rich mineral resources. Neo-colonialism is their plan B.
With jihadists causing havoc in Mozambique, Southern Africa must realise the importance of regional peace and integration, so that “dogs of war” like Walus do not impede on the progress in economic growth and development, so far achieved.
Online Reporter