New Chris Hani book hopes to stoke public calls for inquest into his death

A new book on the death of South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani is hoping to stoke public calls for an inquest into his death.

Former KwaZulu-Natal Judge Chris Nicholson believes there’s ample evidence to show Hani’s assassin, Janusz Walus, and accomplice Clive Derby-Lewis acted on instructions from outside forces.

The judge said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) needs to do more to pursue the case, more than 35 years since Hani was gunned down in his driveway, and he’s hoping his new book will aid the cause.

Although he never met Hani, Judge Nicholson said that it’s one of his greatest regrets.

He said the half-baked investigation into Hani’s death has always haunted him.

Regularly travelling on a road named after the famous anti-apartheid activist in Pietermaritzburg spurred Nicholson to conduct his own investigation into Hani’s death, now contained in a book, Who Really Killed Chris Hani?

Moreover, the author of a book on the Cradock Four, Nicholson, said that although many years have elapsed since Hanis death, it’s not too late to pursue the masterminds and others who helped the only two people convicted of Hani’s murder.

“Anyone who provided a gun, as did Clive Derby-Lewis, people who provided the car that Janusz Walus drove, the corporates and people who made sure there were no security guards on duty, they are accomplices.”

Despite several other books being written about Hani, Nicholson explores theories of a broader conspiracy around his death.

“I was just hoping that my book would arouse public opinion so that pressure would be brought on the NPA, on the authorities to reopen this inquest because I think South Africa would have been such a different place had Chris Hani survived.”

Nicholson believes among those who should be investigated include the African National Congress (ANC)’s alleged hit squad, the Omega Strike Unit, as well as front companies for British and United States (US) intelligence agencies linked to his assassins.