Speaker Appoints ADV Sello to the Panel of Experts

For a soundbite from Parliament Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo, please click: https://iono.fm/e/1232173

Parliament, Tuesday, 27 September 2022 - The Speaker of the National Assembly has considered the written submissions received from some political parties as well as a legal opinion regarding the appointment of Prof. Richard Calland to serve on the Independent Panel of Experts to conduct a preliminary assessment of a motion tabled in accordance with Section 89 of the Constitution. Following her appointment of the three-member panel of experts on 14 September in terms of the Rules, constituted of Justice Sandile Ngcobo, who will also chair the panel, Judge Thokozile Masipa and Prof Calland, the Speaker received objections from the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters regarding Prof Calland based on the perception of bias. A submission was also received from the Good Party, which nominated Prof Calland, to be retained on the panel.

The Speaker had sought a legal opinion from Parliament's legal and constitutional unit on the matter.

Having considered all the submissions from the political parties as well as the legal opinion, the Speaker was of a view that, while there exists no factual basis to corroborate any perceived or apprehension of bias, the integrity of the work of the panel would be best served if Prof Calland is excluded from the panel.

The Speaker has since communicated her decision to Prof Calland, who has expressed his appreciation for consideration and has accordingly agreed to the decision. The Speaker sincerely thanks Prof Calland for making himself available for this important task and for his understanding regarding the decision.

The Speaker has appointed Adv. Mahlape Sello, a respected senior counsel with decades of experience in legal practice, and who recently served on the Judicial Commission on State Capture, to serve on the panel. She joins Justice Ngcobo and Judge Masipa as part of the panel, which will resume its work at a date which will be determined. The date of the resumption of the panel's process will be announced in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports (ATC), and the panel will have 30 days within which to conclude and table a report of its findings and recommendations on its work.

The Speaker once again wishes the panel well in its work.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo

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