SACP holds annual Chris Hani commemoration outside Gauteng

JOHANNESBURG - Commemorations continue for the late South African Communist Party (SACP) leader, Chris Hani, with the African National Congress (ANC) leading its own tribute on Thursday afternoon.

The ANC's senior party officials will share their reflections in honor of the former SACP General Secretary in Sandton.

Thursday marks 32 years since Hani was assassinated by Janusz Waluś, a far-right Polish immigrant who was recently deported to his home country after his parole came to an end.

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For the first time, the South African Communist Party is holding its annual Chris Hani commemoration outside of Gauteng with the event taking place on Thursday in Cofimvaba, in the Eastern Cape.

Historically, the commemoration was always held in Ekurhuleni, the city where Hani was both assassinated and laid to rest.

This year, ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile is the only senior party figure attending the event in the Eastern Cape. 

The change in venue has sparked questions about why the SACP chose not to host the commemoration at its usual location of Ekurhuleni.

The two parties have been at odds since last year's elections, with the SACP threatening to contest the elections independently.