VERBATIM

”The coincidence is suspicious. This comes a few days after the president made very bold statements during the State of the Nation address about growing the economy and boosting investment. What is becoming clear is that there are signs of sabotage ... Suddenly, with very short notice, we went on stage 4 yesterday.” — Acting ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa, on the sudden load-shedding that hit the country.

”Mr President, we welcome your renewed energy to fight corruption but let me tell you, I will never believe you until you fire Nomvula Mokonyane. You can’t have people highly implicated in your Cabinet and you come and tell us you are committed to fighting corruption. Unless you too have benefited from frozen chicken. If you’ve eaten the frozen chicken, then you will be scared.” — Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, urging Cyril Ramaphosa to fire the minister of the environment for allegedly receiving bribes from Bosasa when she was an MEC in the Gauteng Legislature, premier of Gauteng and water and sanitation minister.

”Of course, I am no longer the same physical force as before, something that I have never hidden from the people. But the unwavering desire to serve has never left me, and it allows me to transcend the constraints linked to health troubles.” — Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, announcing that he will seek a fifth term as president in the April elections.

”The fact is, when I took over as president, our country was a mess. Depleted military, endless wars, a potential war with North Korea, high taxes, border, immigration and health care problems. I had no choice but to work very long hours!” — United States President Donald Trump, lashing out in a tweet at the suggestion that he spends most of his days not working after his schedule was leaked.