JOHANNESBURG - Chris Hani's widow Limpho Hani, has criticised the City of Ekurhuleni’s commemoration event marking 33 years since the assassination of Hani.
Spitting fire, Limpho expressed deep frustration with what she believes is a betrayal of her late husband’s legacy.
The Hani family was a no-show, reportedly because of the Ekurhuleni municipality's involvement in proceedings.
READ | Chris Hani family a no-show at municipality' commemoration
According to Limpho, 8 April was meant to just be a wreath-laying event, not a commemoration, as it's two days before the actual date of Hani's assassination.
Adding salt to the wound was the fact that the family was not consulted about this.
“This is not a new thing. Except now, with the new mayor, it has escalated to higher heights, where I don't exist. I don't know whether that mayor of Ekurhuleni is my husband's brother. If he was related to my husband, my husband would have introduced me to him. He's not my husband's relative. He's not my relative,” he said.
Limpho said the city undermined the family.
She said she took exception to the allegation that she was influenced not to attend the said commemoration.
‘I am a 78-year-old, I can not be influenced by anybody. I am an independent old woman. I take decisions on behalf of the Hani family, and nobody will tell me otherwise,” she said.
According to Limpho, the first time they had a wreath laying was last year because the commemoration would be held in the Eastern Cape.
She said that it was organised together with the SACP, and less than a hundred people showed up, as intended.
But what they saw on Wednesday was a different sight.
“What happened today was like a stokvel on my husband’s grave. It is not proper and I do not accept it.”
Limpho called on politician’s respect families.
“I own that grave, I am his wife,”
She vowed to defend her husband's legacy, citing that she would not allow people to do as they pleased.
‘I will fight till I die. I will not allow people to do Mickey Mouse games on my husband’s grave and change the plans that I had as a family,” she lamented.
The municipality is adamant that the relationship with Chris Hani’s family can be salvaged.
Acting Ekurhuleni Mayor Jongizizwe Dlabathi said planning will take place jointly with the family, the SACP, and the city.
Once all the boxes have been ticked and the family, in particular, is satisfied with the approach, they will reconvene.
At the event, ANC Treasurer General Gwen Ramokgopsa told the media that the Hani family did not attend because they had a bereavement.
“I have had an opportunity to speak to uMama Limpho Hani. The family is grieving. They have a death in the family, and therefore cannot and could not have participated today."
But Limpho rubbished the claim, saying their family funeral was before Easter.
“I buried my sister's son last week Wednesday before Easter. I was already in Joburg. I do not know who she has killed when she says there is a bereavement.”