GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
27 September 2022
GOOD is disappointed to learn that the Speaker of the National Assembly has decided to withdraw the appointment of Professor Richard Calland to the Section 89 ‘impeachment’ panel.
Although we understand and respect that Prof. Calland offered his recusal to the Speaker to assist the smooth functioning of the Panel, this was done in response to various unfounded twitter allegations by the DA, EFF and ‘RET’, based on personal animosity and political gesturing, that sort to undermine Prof. Calland’s independence.
It sets a dangerous precedent that the Speaker has capitulated to ulterior motive and social media pressure to reverse an appointment to this critical and independent process.
Prof Calland’s legal skills, independence and professionalism are beyond reproach, as further evidenced by the manner in which he has handled this issue.
It is hard to think of a replacement that will match the quality of our original nomination, and we urge the Speaker not to succumb to the same pressures in finding his replacement as she did in coming to her conclusion today.
GOOD would like to place on record its thanks to Prof. Calland for accepting our nomination, as well as regret for the social media abuse that he experienced as a result of immoral and unfounded attacks on his professional integrity by various parties who clearly have no interest in the smooth functioning of South Africa’s constitutional democracy, and the integrity of the findings in this process.
GOOD will be engaging the Speaker for clarity on this decision, and the precedent that it sets for appointments of similar nature in the future.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 0825183264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za