QUOTES

 

‘I would argue that to be effective, we must expand these requirements to include permanent secretaries, directors-general, and all controlling officers and employees managing, responsible for, or involved in public procurement and contracts.’

– US ambassador Michael Gonzales, who last week said Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema’s Government was not doing enough to combat corruption. He was addressing the Transparency International Zambia 2023 Anti-Corruption Conference in Livingstone. 

 

‘Infrastructure, homes, hospitals and other public facilities have been destroyed. In its attacks on civilians and by taking hostages, Hamas has also violated international law and must be held accountable for these actions. The collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel is a war crime.’

– South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who used his platform at an emergency Brics meeting to use the voice of the global south to agree on ‘urgent and concrete actions to end the suffering in Gaza’. Ramaphosa said since 7 October when more than 1 200 people were killed in an attack by Hamas on Israel, the world has borne witness to the devastating killing of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza.

 

‘Tt is an issue that can be solved tomorrow.’

– Former US First Lady Michelle Obama, who plans to end child marriage within a generation