Statement from Professor Richard Calland, Associate Professor, Public Law, UCT

27 September 2022

Response to Complaints arising from my appointment to the Panel to conduct a Preliminary Inquiry on a Motion in Terms of Section 89 of the Constitution 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.

I am a fiercely independent person and so I absolutely reject the suggestion of bias that was made against me. 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. And I would do so regardless of anything that I have said or written in the past in my role as a political commentator.

However, this is not the only consideration. I have devoted my career to constitutional democracy and accountability, and the rule of law. Accordingly, I do not want unnecessary controversy over my appointment to divert attention from the real issues that are at stake, or the possibility of undue delay arising from it, to clutter or otherwise impair the integrity of such an important constitutional process.

I am grateful to the GOOD party for nominating me and also for their staunch public support for my professional independence and integrity, and wish Parliament the very best as it embarks upon this landmark process.

Issued by Richard Calland, 27 September 2022