Three decades after the 1993 assassination of Chris Hani, a new book by retired High Court judge Chris Nicholson claims that the public still hasn’t been told the full truth.
Hani’s killing nearly plunged South Africa into civil war. At the time, the government moved quickly to prosecute two men: Polish-born far-right activist Janusz Waluś and Conservative Party MP Clive Derby-Lewis. But in Who Really Killed Chris Hani?, Nicholson argues the duo were merely foot soldiers in a wider, more calculated plot.
The book questions long-held assumptions, revisits ignored leads, and explores why — after all these years — key political players still remain silent.
“The official version tells only part of the story,” writes Nicholson. “We have not yet held the true architects accountable.”
A judge’s investigation into South Africa’s deepest wound
Chris Nicholson is no stranger to state secrets. As a human rights lawyer during apartheid, he defended political detainees. After democracy, he was appointed as a High Court judge, where he presided over several high-stakes political and corruption cases.
His latest work is not just a legal analysis — it’s also a gripping historical narrative. Nicholson draws on court documents, intelligence files, journalism, and legal precedent to re-evaluate South Africa’s most politically destabilising murder.
What sets the book apart:
- Frames the Hani assassination as a possible multi-agency conspiracy
- Revisits potential involvement of apartheid-era security networks
- Explores international intelligence links and political motives
- Connects the murder to economic and power realignments during the transition
- Suggests justice was politically managed to protect deeper secrets
Chris Hani: The man who threatened the status quo
At the time of his death, Chris Hani was Secretary-General of the South African Communist Party and Chief of Staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the ANC’s armed wing. He was a popular figure across racial and class lines, especially among the youth and working class.
Many believed he could have succeeded Nelson Mandela as president. His assassination, just one year before the 1994 elections, was widely seen as an attempt to derail the democratic transition.
Why Hani’s death still matters:
- Sparked nationwide protests and mourning
- Nearly collapsed peace talks between ANC and National Party
- Paved the way for Mandela’s national address and urgent political stabilisation
- Left a legacy of suspicion around who truly benefited from the chaos
Where to get the book and how to connect
Who Really Killed Chris Hani? is available online and in stores:
| 📍 Seller | 🔗 Purchase Link |
|---|---|
| Chris Nicholson Site | chrisnicholson.co.za |
| Exclusive Books | exclusivebooks.co.za |
| Amazon | amazon.com |
About the author
- 🏛 Chris Nicholson
Former High Court judge (appointed 1995), author of 8 books and a stage play
Two-time Alan Paton Award nominee
Known for challenging state secrecy and power abuse in post-apartheid South Africa
Nicholson has long been praised for his independence and fearless legal work. This new book confirms his role as both a legal thinker and public intellectual willing to question official truth — even if it’s uncomfortable.
