Calland removed from Phala Phala panel

NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has removed UCT Professor Richard Calland from the Section 89 panel to consider a motion into the impeachment of President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the Phala Phala farm robbery.

Calland was removed yesterday after concerns were raised about a perceived pro-Ramaphosa bias following several political pronouncements in favour of Ramaphosa.

He has been replaced by advocate Mahlape Sello, SC.

Nominated by the GOOD Party, Calland was appointed with former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, who will chair the panel, and Judge Thokozile Masipa, formerly a judge in the Gauteng Division of the High Court.

An internal memorandum, with yesterday’s date, by Mapisa-Nqakula said she had received submissions from the EFF and the DA objecting to Calland’s appointment, as well as a letter from GOOD Party in support of him.

“On September 27, I withdrew Prof Calland’s appointment. I must indicate that Prof Calland expressed willingness to withdraw should his appointment be seen to impair the process in any manner.”

In a statement, Calland said: “In light of the objections received by the Speaker from certain political parties, I have accepted the view of the Speaker that it may not be in the best interests of the parliamentary process for me to serve as a member of the Section 89 panel.”

He defended his independence and said he “absolutely rejects the suggestion of bias”.

“As a trained lawyer, I am capable of assessing the evidence and reaching conclusions based on an impartial application of the relevant law or rules, without fear or favour.”

DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube hailed the axing as a “victory for accountability”.

GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron said the party, which nominated Calland, was disappointed at the move, which he said set a bad precedent for such appointments in the future.