Convicted killer Janusz Walus was on Tuesday stabbed by a fellow prison inmate just days from his scheduled parole release this week.
According to Ministry of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo, Walus “was involved in an unfortunate stabbing incident” at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria.
The Polish national, who killed South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani in December 1993, is in stable condition and receiving treatment from the prison medical staff, Nxumalo said.
He said it was believed that Walus was stabbed by a fellow inmate from the same housing unit at the prison.
More details about the incident would be provided at a later stage, the spokesperson said.
South Africa’s Constitutional Court recently ordered Justice Minister Ronald Lamola to place Walus on parole by December 1.
The apex court’s decision has angered the Hani family, the SACP and other interested parties who believe that Walus committed “a heinous crime” and was not entitled to parole.
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has granted Walus an exemption for him to serve his parole in South Africa when he is out of prison.
At the time of his death outside his Johannesburg home three decades ago, the late leader was the SACP general secretary.
NM/jn/APA