Hani family slams ‘imposters’ allegedly pretending to be related to struggle hero

The family of the struggle stalwart Chris Hani has lashed out against individuals claiming to be descendants of the former South African Communist Party (SACP) leader.

This comes after a statement was released on 10 April from people claiming to be Hani family representatives.

The statement accused the ANC of using Hani’s name for self-enrichment and abusing the struggle stalwarts’ legacy.

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‘That is not our statement’

However, Hani’s nephew, Mphatheli Hani, who described himself as the legitimate family spokesperson, distanced the family from the statement.

“It has come to our attention as the Chris Hani family in Sabalele that a statement is circulating in our name. That is not our statement, nor have we been consulted about what it says and alleges.

“I put on record without any equivocation that in all these years there has never been an issue until certain dubious characters purporting to be Chris Hani’s daughters made wild allegations that the home affairs department subsequently investigated,” he said.

No evidence of other children

Mphatheli said the alleged descendants have not presented proof that they are Hani’s children.

“Shockingly, up to now, none of them has ever gone for DNA tests to substantiate their claims with expert evidence. They must just do the right thing.

“One of the girls claims to be a granddaughter of Gilbert Hani’s eldest sons. Gilbert had three sons: Mbuyiselo, Thembisile and Nkosana Hani. None of them is her grandfather,” he said.

Last year, Sunday World reported that the Hani family had opened a criminal case against the three women claiming to be Hani’s children. Hani has three children with his wife, Limpho.

However, there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

“We have decided to set the record straight, in consultation with my aunt, Limpho Hani, the wife of my late uncle Thembisile Martin ‘Chris’ Hani. Aunt Limpho is the only surviving parent in the immediate family,” he said.

Preserving Hani’s legacy

Meanwhile, Mphatheli said the family would like to spend more time preserving Hani’s legacy.

“Our preoccupation and chief priority now and going forward is the approval of the application for the inquest into the assassination of Hani. We are dismayed that these entitled individuals claiming to be family seem to trivialise such an extremely important matter for the Hani family and the nation,” he said.

Hani was assassinated 32 years ago in Boksburg.

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