Do we want a system that allows a judge to separate justice and the law?
WHEN a judge tells the widow of a man whose murderer killed him in the hope of starting a civil war that she should "move on" and then orders the release of the killer, who has served less time than Nelson Mandela, people are entitled to ask whether the legal system cares about justice.A Pretoria judge’s decision to overrule the justice minister and order the release of Janusz Walus, killer of South African Communist Party and African National Congress leader Chris Hani — while delivering the most insensitive judicial comment in years — has outraged a wide political spectrum. It has also questioned three firmly-held beliefs: That the courts are always good, the government is always bad and that the official approach to reconciliation here works.Anger over the ruling is understandable. Killing someone because you dislike their politics is always horrifying. But Walus and his co-conspirator, Clive Derby-Lewis, also testified at their trial that they did it because they wanted to start...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.