‘There’s been a ma

‘It is international law. The United Nations cannot override the sovereignty of a country, and when the matter broke out we put together our own investigation.’

– President Joseph Kabila’s chief adviser, Barnabe Kikaya-bin-Karubi confirming that the DRC Government is already investigating the ongoing violence and is opposed to an independent investigation

‘There’s been a massive loss of confidence. All of us are disappointed by the firing of (South African Finance Minister Pravin) Gordhan, and the Cabinet reshuffle just breeds uncertainty and that’s not what we want.’

– Graham O’Connor, the CEO of Spar Group, a food and liquor retailer with more than 2 000 outlets in Southern Africa

 ‘Apartheid colonialism wreaked havoc on many South Africans, not only through the denial of democracy, but also through the dispossession of the majority of South Africans. Given the extent of dispossession, discrimination and exploitation that ensued, the call for the people to share in the wealth of the country as set out in the Freedom Charter, was essentially a call for radical economic transformation. It is not smash and grab. It is not a violent revolution. It is policy positioning.'

– Deputy President Cyril Ramaphos

'I believe it is true that the fish rots from the head. The problem we face, as South Africans, is that the rot is so advanced that it's already approaching the tail. And unless we act soon, this beautiful creature that we call South Africa will soon be a rotten pile of bones.'

– Sipho Pityana, convener of the Save South Africa campaign

'He is very strong, just like an iron bar. He can still walk on his two legs and we thank God for giving him the gift of life.'

– First Lady Grace Mugabe on President Robert Mugabe

‘Lord Joel Joffe is amongst a class of defence attorneys who served South Africa and our liberation struggle with distinction.’

– Neeshan Balton, director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. Joffe was one of the lawyers who defended Nelson Mandela and his fellow Rivonia Trialists in the 1960s