Phala Phala: Mapisa-Nqakula studying legal advice on Calland appointment
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says she studying legal advice on the inclusion of Professor Richard Calland on the independent panel probing the Phala Phala scandal
This follows the objection to the selection of Calland to serve in the panel by the EFF and the DA in Parliament.
The panel will investigate a motion relating to President Cyril Ramaphosa's conduct over the Phala Phala scandal.
The panel is chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo along with former Gauteng judge Thokozile Masipa, and University of Cape Town law professor Richard Calland.
The EFF and the DA rejected the appointment of Calland, accusing him of being politically biased towards President Cyril Ramphosa.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Mapisa-Nqakula said she is satisfied with her appointments.
"The choice of former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo and judge Thokozile Masipa was a very good decision in my view, the choice of Calland for me there is nothing questioning his integrity, the only which is a problem before us is the comments made in the course of doing his independent commentary work.
"I have received that legal opinion yesterday and within the next 24h hours or so you will hear what the way forward will be."
Meanwhile, the DA’s motion to debate the establishment of a Phala Phala ad hoc committee has been given a green light.
The debate was scheduled for this afternoon in the Assembly but there was an objection from the other parties including the ANC over short notice.
This morning Mapisa-Nqakula directed that the debate be placed on the Order Paper next week.
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