THE WEEK IN WORDS
COMPILED BY TANYA WATERWORTH
At first I thought she was injured, I saw the paramedics going inside with a stretcher but when they came back out with no one on it – I knew that my friend was gone.
– Friend of murdered MUT student Zolile Khumalo outside court this week, where Khumalo’s ex-boyfriend Thabani Mzolo appeared in the dock accused of shooting the young student. This evil act of horror and terror disregards the value of human life, the rule of law and universal human rights.
– Mohamed Saaed, Muslim community leader, condemning the brutal attack on three people at the Imam Hussain Mosque in Verulam on Thursday in which one person died and two were critically injured. Taking leave of absence must have specifics, both in terms of how the person is absent and the length of time in which he will be absent. The decision he made was both irrational and illegal, as he exercised power he does not have. Now we have two premiers in the province effectively. One sitting at home drawing a salary, while the other pretends to be in charge.
– Professor Shadrack Gutto, constitutional law expert on North West’s premier Supra Mahumapelo’s actions this week after he took leave of absence and appointed an acting premier. This followed the reversal of his decision to resign amid mounting pressure that he be removed from office. There is a history of non-payment. Remember in 1994, we were resisting paying municipalities? However, now we also have people who are opportunist who want to have everything, but are not willing to pay for anything.
– Professor Bonke Dumisa, independent economist, commenting on the R9.2 billion owed by eThekwini households and businesses to the municipality. If you speak to anyone in the community, they know him because he is always spearheading efforts to help them. He’s the kind of officer that police officers should aspire to be as officers of the law.
– Khrisie Valayadan, attorney, speaking about Captain Vinny Pillay of Umhlali SAPS who has been placed in the finals of the SA Integrity Idols 2018 campaign. Integrity Idols is a global campaign to recognise honest government officials. We don’t know anything about ANC resolutions. All we know is that this is our land, an iNkosi had given it to us but Indians say this is their land.
– A land grabber at the upmarket Palm Lake Estate in Umhlali, outside Ballito, where the community staked claims after a local chief gave them permission to do so at a cost of R50 per plot. Houses on the estate start at about the R3 million mark.