Quotes

 

‘It is not the victory of one camp against another. I am engaged in a campaign to reconcile all Congolese. The Congo that we are going to form will not be a Congo of division, hatred or tribalism. It will be a reconciled Congo, a strong Congo that will be focused on development, peace and security.’

– DRC President-elect Felix Tshisekedi saying the Constitutional Court's decision to reject claims of electoral fraud and declare him President was a victory for the entire country.

 

'Usually, the African Union defers to the subregion (SADC). In this case they departed dramatically, asking Constitutional Court not to decide (as it must per Congolese law) on election results and wait for an AU mission.'

– Jason Stearns, director of the Congo Research Group in the US, called the move ‘truly incredible’ on Twitter. 
 
 

'He is no longer presumed innocent, he has been found innocent.'

– Defence lawyer Emmanuel Altit arguing that former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo should be released immediately following his ICC acquittal.

 

‘Regarding empathy, it can be said that he expresses remorse for the fact that the victim's children are fatherless and the wife is a widow. However, he showed no remorse for murdering Chris Hani. He still rationalises his actions and insists that they were politically motivated.'

 - Justice Minister Mike Masutha, reading an extract of a psychological report on Janusz Walus whose parole bid was rejected. 

 

‘The MDC leadership has been consistently pushing out the message that they will use violent street action to overturn the results of (last year's) ballot.'

 - Presidential spokesman George Charamba who blamed the opposition for the violence that has accompanied Zimbabwe's protests

 

'Personally, I think the suggestion coming out of KwaZulu-Natal on the weekend, that Zuma should be offered an ambassadorship, is a good idea. It would take him out of circulation and end his toxic role in our politics. But the right victim country should be chosen. I would propose Somalia, Yemen, Syria or South Sudan.'

– Analyst Max du Preez on former President Jacob Zuma

 

'We have lost an incredible writer and a valiant soldier who fought fearlessly for human rights and the justice and freedom that are the hallmarks of our democracy. His fighting spirit and humanity will forever be remembered by those he touched through his life, actions and also his written words. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and relatives. May his soul rest in peace.’
 
 – President Cyril Ramaphosa on the death of acclaimed author, journalist and anti-apartheid activist Hugh Lewin, who died last week.