Pretoria – The ANC has moved to reassure the public that it remains on good terms with the family of slain South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani, following a dispute that led to a walkout during a wreath-laying ceremony in Ekurhuleni earlier this week.
The event, held on Wednesday, 8 April, was disrupted after members of the Hani family left the gathering, accusing the City of Ekurhuleni of changing the agreed format without consultation.
“It was like a stokvel on my husband’s grave”. The late struggle stalwart, Chris Hani’s wife, Limpho Hani has criticised a planned commemoration for Hani, saying it was meant to be a wreath-laying ceremony. The event was postponed after the family did not attend. The wife is… pic.twitter.com/8Jd6Lfdb8U
— eNCA (@eNCA) April 8, 2026
The ceremony was meant to be a brief wreath-laying at the gravesite ahead of the anniversary of Hani’s assassination on 10 April 1993.
Hani’s widow, Limpho Hani, said the event had been altered into a larger commemoration, despite the family’s understanding that it would remain a short, private tribute.
Hani family storms out of “Stokvel-Like” grave ceremony meant to honour SACP leader Chris Hani
Tensions boiled over at a memorial ceremony for struggle icon Chris Hani when members of his family dramatically walked out, slamming the event as disorganised and disrespectful.
What… pic.twitter.com/HS3AJEuTOc
— Buzz Life News (@BuzzLifenews) April 9, 2026
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula addressed the controversy on Friday, insisting that relations between the ANC and the Hani family remain intact.
“We have an excellent relationship with the Hani family… there are no issues between us,” Mbalula said, adding that the municipality’s involvement was based on a long-standing resolution to commemorate Hani’s life.
He said previous engagements with the family had resulted in a decentralised approach to commemorations, with events hosted in different provinces in recent years, including Cofimvaba and Mpumalanga.
Mbalula stressed that government and municipal officials had been instructed to engage properly with the family to resolve any concerns arising from the gravesite incident.
Mbalula rejected any suggestion of competition over Hani’s legacy, saying both the ANC and SACP have a legitimate connection to the anti-apartheid struggle icon.
“Chris Hani was an alliance leader in himself,” he said, urging discipline and respect in commemorating struggle figures.
He added that the commemoration of liberation heroes should not become a political contest, but a collective effort to preserve South Africa’s history.
Mbalula further emphasised that “all in all, we are on good terms with the family” and called for calm following the incident.
