South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Solly Mapaila reacted to the Constitutional Court ruling on Janusz Walus by stating that it was “sickeningly disappointing” and by claiming that it failed to protect the party’s right to exist as communists.

On Monday the Constitutional Court ruled that Walus - who gunned down SACP leader Chris Hani nearly 30 years ago - should be released on parole within 10 days.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said more than 15 years had passed since Walus had become eligible for parole.

Mapaila explained that the judgment did not say anything about the submissions made by the SACP and the Hani family when the court heard the matter.

“The judgment has far-reaching implications that compel the SACP to analyse it deeper and look for a new way forward under the circumstances. The reality we now face is that the court failed to protect our right to exist as communists. We will have to protect this right ourselves,” said Mapaila.

He said the assassination of Hani left a gaping wound in his family, the SACP and the ranks of the working class and added that the judgment has rubbed salt granules to the wound.

“Hani was assassinated for being a communist, for leading the struggle for democracy in our country, but the Hani family permanently lost a husband, father, uncle, you name it all,” he explained.

The SACP highlighted that like Hani, they are unapologetic for being communists.