1 0ctober 2008
The SACP has just received the (attached) e mail sent to Cde Limpho Hani, the widow of our slain former General Secretary, Cde Chris Hani.
The SACP is outraged by this email, and it in fact constitutes a serious act of provocation not only to the Hani family, but to the SACP, the Alliance and the overwhelming majority of the people of South Africa.
Firstly, for the Minister of Correctional Services, Mr Ngconde Balfour, to allow the sending of a casual e-mail by a junior official to the widow of an assassinated leader of Hani stature is offensive in the extreme. We wish to strongly condemn the Minister of Correctional Services, Mr Ngconde Balfour for what is an extremely callous and reckless act. Ordinarily on such a serious matter, which Balfour is fully cognisant of, there should at least have been the decency of sending a senior person, possibly himself, to go and respectfully talk to the Hani family. This is outright disrespectful! As a result of this the Hani family is extremely upset and this brings back all the painful memories of the cowardly assassination of Cde Chris and the loss to the family.
Furthermore, this junior official has the audacity to give Cde Limpho Hani a deadline of 14 days within which to respond, and asks for an address at which they can send further information!
Secondly, we would have expected the Minister to also inform the SACP, and indeed the ANC, as he is fully aware that, apart from the family, we have the deepest interest in this matter, and that it is the SACP that has been following it actively.
The SACP wishes to reiterate its stance that murderers like Clive Derby-Lewis and Janus Walus must not be considered for any pardon for their dastardly act, and will consider revisiting this position only if they speak the whole truth and reveal all those who were involved in the planning and execution of the assassination of Cde Hani.
Instead of a pardon, we expect government to institute a full judicial inquest into all the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Cde Hani. We are further angered by the fact that our country has been going through a stressful period, and Balfour now comes up with something that will introduce further stress into the body politic of our country. This is highly irresponsible.
We have already raised this matter very sharply with the Secretary General of the ANC, Cde Gwede Mantashe and will also be urgently consulting with the General Secretary of COSATU about this matter.
Today the provincial secretaries and organisers of the SACP are meeting in Johannesburg and we will table this matter before them in order to decide on appropriate action to express our outrage and disgust at this.
Issued by the SACP
Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson – 082 226 1802
NB! Below is the e-mail
Morning mam
The Minister of Correctional Services instructed the Chairperson of the Parole Board Pretoria to approach you in writing and request if you or your family would like to make a representation (in writing) to the Parole Board to be taken into consideration when offender Clive Derby Lewis case is considered. Alternatively you may attend the Parole Board session to provide verbal inputs. You will be given 14 days to respond to this request.
If possible please provide us only with a Postal address to send you a registered communication inviting you to participate in this process.
Regards
Leon Marren
Asd: Remission and Review Board
Department of Correctional Services
Tell. (012) 307 2659
Fax. (012) 325 8080
Fax2mail: 0865341262
Website: www.dcs.gov.za
e-mail:leon.marren@dcs.gov.za