Congress of the People (COPE) has called for a review of the parole system in the wake of the release of Chris Hani’s killer Janusz Walus‚ saying the law was seen to be working more in the interest of perpetrators than law-abiding citizens.
“It is too much to bear when mothers cry uncontrollably when their daughters are raped or children brutally murdered‚ or when widows lament the death of their husbands who were police officers who were taken out by criminals. There are those in society who are heinous monsters who mercilessly shatter the lives of families.
“People are no longer even safe in their own homes. When the pain for so many people is so severe‚ it is important that justice must work in a way that the depth of the suffering of the people caused by criminals is taken into account‚” said COPE spokesman Dennis Bloem.
“It is common cause that government has the onus and the responsibility to enforce law and order to keep people protected. As things stand‚ the law is seen by most people in society to be working more in the interest of perpetrators than of law abiding citizens. This is untenable‚” Bloem added.
On April 10‚ 1993‚ he said‚ Janusz Walus had “cold-bloodedly‚ calculatingly and cruelly” assassinated Chris Hani. He had never once expressed remorse for his dastardly deed.
“What he did that day could have plunged South Africa into total chaos. No wonder there is such disbelief at the instruction of the court to release Walus on parole.
“Congress of the People believes that the parole system must be thoroughly reviewed so that clear criteria are set for parole to be granted. Life sentence must be just that. Otherwise it will not be a deterrent.
“Parole is a privilege and can never be a right‚” Bloem stated.
He added that COPE would work with other parties to table an amendment to the act.
“Something needs to be done urgently to improve the working of the parole system.”
COPE calls for review of parole system
“It is too much to bear when mothers cry uncontrollably when their daughters are raped or children brutally murdered‚ or when widows lament the death of their husbands who were police officers who were taken out by criminals. There are those in society who are heinous monsters who mercilessly shatter the lives of families.
“People are no longer even safe in their own homes. When the pain for so many people is so severe‚ it is important that justice must work in a way that the depth of the suffering of the people caused by criminals is taken into account‚” said COPE spokesman Dennis Bloem.
“It is common cause that government has the onus and the responsibility to enforce law and order to keep people protected. As things stand‚ the law is seen by most people in society to be working more in the interest of perpetrators than of law abiding citizens. This is untenable‚” Bloem added.
On April 10‚ 1993‚ he said‚ Janusz Walus had “cold-bloodedly‚ calculatingly and cruelly” assassinated Chris Hani. He had never once expressed remorse for his dastardly deed.
“What he did that day could have plunged South Africa into total chaos. No wonder there is such disbelief at the instruction of the court to release Walus on parole.
“Congress of the People believes that the parole system must be thoroughly reviewed so that clear criteria are set for parole to be granted. Life sentence must be just that. Otherwise it will not be a deterrent.
“Parole is a privilege and can never be a right‚” Bloem stated.
He added that COPE would work with other parties to table an amendment to the act.
“Something needs to be done urgently to improve the working of the parole system.”
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