South Africa has spent more than three decades believing it understands the truth behind the assassination of struggle hero Chris Hani. But a gripping new book suggests the story we know may be far from complete.
In Who Really Killed Chris Hani?, former High Court judge and acclaimed author Chris Nicholson revisits the 1993 killing that pushed the country to the edge of civil conflict, and argues that the official version of events tells only a fraction of the truth.
A Legal Heavyweight with Deep Roots in SA’s Transition
Nicholson is no ordinary commentator. A lifelong KwaZulu-Natal resident, he practised as a human rights lawyer throughout apartheid, representing victims of state violence and earning national recognition long before South Africa’s democracy.
His appointment as a High Court judge in 1995 placed him at the centre of some of the country’s most complex and politically sensitive court cases.
Alongside his judicial career, Nicholson has quietly built a remarkable literary presence. With eight books and a play behind him, including two Alan Paton Award-nominated nonfiction works, he has established himself as a leading voice on apartheid-era crimes and South Africa’s political evolution.
A Chilling Re-Examination of a National Trauma
In Who Really Killed Chris Hani?, Nicholson applies the precision of a judge to the gaps, contradictions and overlooked evidence surrounding the assassination.
While Janusz Waluś and Clive Derby-Lewis were convicted, Nicholson argues they were the visible edge of something far wider, a darker and more intricate conspiracy involving interests that may never have been held to account.
The book draws on:
- Court records
- Intelligence archives
- Investigative journalism
- Historical parallels
- Political and economic context
The result is a work that reads with the pace and intensity of a thriller, yet carries the weight and scrutiny of a legal judgment.
Uncomfortable Questions for SA’s Democracy
Nicholson’s exploration touches on possible links to apartheid-era security networks, global intelligence interests, political rivalries and powerful economic players.
He pushes into the silences surrounding South Africa’s negotiated transition, and asks who really benefitted from Hani’s death.
At a time when public frustration about accountability and unfinished justice is rising again, the book lands with powerful relevance. And Nicholson, as a former judge questioning the adequacy of the justice process itself, is a rare and timely voice.
Where to Get It
Who Really Killed Chris Hani? is available now via Chris Nicholson’s official website, Exclusive Books and Amazon.
Leave a Reply