BOKSBURG — 1993 · Murder
Assassination of Chris Hani
Chris Hani, general secretary of the South African Communist Party and one of the ANC's most popular leaders, was shot dead outside his home in Dawn Park, Boksburg, on 10 April 1993. Thanks to a neighbour who noted the car's registration, the gunman, a Polish immigrant, was quickly caught; a right-wing Conservative Party MP who helped plan the attack was also arrested. Both were sentenced to death in October 1993; their sentences were commuted to life when the death penalty was abolished. The assassination brought the country to the brink of civil war, but Nelson Mandela's call for calm and accelerated negotiations led to a date being set for the 1994 elections.
- Date
- 1993
- Place
- Gauteng, South Africa, Boksburg, ZA
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- -26.2300, 28.2700 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 10 April 1993Chris Hani was shot outside his Boksburg home.
- 10 April 1993The gunman was arrested thanks to a neighbour's tip.
- October 1993Both men were sentenced to death; sentences were later commuted to life.
- 1997At the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the aim was said to be derailing negotiations.
Sources
- News24 — Chris Hani: the men behind his killing news24.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Assassination of Chris Hani en.wikipedia.org ↗
- News24
- South African History Online
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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Categories
🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.