Eusebius McKaiser is joined by University of Cape Town (UCT) law professor, author and political analyst Richard Calland in his latest episode of Eusebius on TimesLIVE. They discuss whether a mandatory state vaccination policy will pass the rights limitations test of the constitution.
Calland explains why the core requirements of rationality and favourable analysis of competing rights that are at stake will ultimately fall on the side of mandatory vaccinations. The efficacy of vaccines and absence of less restrictive means of dealing effectively with Covid-19 are legal premises, based on scientific evidence, that could persuade the bench.
The discussion then segues into political analysis, with a focus on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership. McKaiser and Calland are of the view, and offer arguments in support thereof, that Ramaphosa is no crisis president. His style and approach to problem-solving is admirably collaborative, but this is not appropriate within the context of a deep crisis that requires decisive thought leadership and action rather than agnosticism.
Calland urges the president to ignore the noise of anti-vaccine campaigners and focus on sound science as the basis of rational policy formation.