By: Natasha Archary
Professor Richard Calland has stepped back from the Phala Phala Section 89 panel due to pressure from political parties.
Calland came under fire by the EFF for being biased towards the President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 27 September, Calland said while he rejects any allegation of bias, he’s accepted that not being a part of the panel is in his best interest.
“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, with 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.”
Richard Calland
Although I strongly reject any allegation of bias, I have today – in consultation with the Speaker – accepted that it may not be in the best interest of the parliamentary process for me to serve as a member of the Section 89 Panel.
— Richard Calland (@richardcalland) September 27, 2022
My full statement below: pic.twitter.com/iqcdcdZMM9
The EFF has welcomed the withdrawal of Richard Calland from the independent panel chosen to determine if an inquiry into the Phala Phala scandal will be necessary.
According to the EFF, Calland has in the past shown public affinity for Ramaphosa and his Presidency.
“Amongst many other public declarations of his support for Ramaphosa, Calland has written extensively on his support for Ramaphosa and his faction within the ANC. He has even gone as far as endorsing Ramaphosa for a second term within the ruling party and ultimately the State.”
The EFF on Richard Calland’s decision to withdraw from the Section 89 panel
The EFF says that by withdrawing from the panel, Calland has rescued himself from further public humiliation.
Ramaphosa stands accused of concealing a robbery at his Phala Phala farm, where $4 million was taken from under a mattress.
Advocate Mahlape Sello will replace Calland on the independent panel, as was announced by Parliament on Tuesday.
Also read: Dr Zweli Mkhize and Paul Mashatile have been endorsed for top posts by ANC Kwa-Zulu Natal



