DA’S REACTIONARY BLEATING ABOUT APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD CALLAND IS DISGRACEFUL

17 September 2022

We welcome the appointment of the Sec 89 Independent Panel announced by the Speaker yesterday to consider the motion to remove the President, including the appointment of Professor Richard Calland, whom we nominated.

We however condemn the Democratic Alliance’s disgraceful assault on Prof Calland’s integrity.

Calland is a legal professional, an academic and a social commentator of repute. He has contributed significantly to the strengthening of South Africa’s democratic institution.

According to the DA, Calland has written favourably about the President. If the DA did its homework it would also discover articles he’s penned that are critical of the President.

To accuse Calland of being unable to perform a legal task without bias is a scandalous allegation made by a party increasingly developing a reputation for reactionary bleating and constitutional delinquency.  

The DA should know that Calland established and led the University of Cape Town’s Democratic Governance & Rights Unit from 2007-2016, focusing on judicial appointments, training and governance. Prior to that he headed the Political Information & Monitoring Service and then the Economic Governance programme at Idasa.

To accuse him of bias is reactionary theatre.

Statement issued by Brett Herron, GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament, 18 September 2022