While the vuvuzelas and makarapas are a common feature at soccer stadiums in South Africa, Chris Hani’s killer Janusz Waluś has cult status at some Polish premier football league games.
Banners emblazoned with the picture of the convicted assassin are a regular feature at big soccer matches. “Freedom for Janusz Waluś”, “Stay Strong Brother” and “Janusz Waluś – we are waiting. Come back quickly, brother”, are common war cries at Poland’s stadiums.
Since his parole application was denied in 2011, his status as the “longest serving foreign political prisoner” in SA has been growing.
Sports journalist Jan Mazurek of media group Weszło wrote an insightful article titled: “How did Janusz Waluś become the hero of stadiums?” He quotes fans, academics, social commentators and excerpts from a book by another journalist and author Michał Zichlarz.
“Hero of the white race.” That is how Waluś is viewed for killing Hani.
In his book: To Kill Hani. The Story of Janusz Waluś Zichlarz also chronicles how some football fans have been raising money for the Pole’s legal battles. Waluś’s daughter Ewa has also been instrumental in efforts to raise funds to release her father.
Zichlarz’s book contains a letter written by Waluś to Polish soccer fans.
“Fans of Legia Warsaw, Raków Częstochowa and other clubs involved. I wish to express my deep and fervent gratitude for your spiritual and material support. For all your actions. For demonstrations in stadiums. For the funds that make my/our fight on legal grounds possible. I don’t know what I would have done without your help. Best regards, Janusz Waluś.”
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