Cyril Ramaphosa: I never wanted miners killed at Marikana
The then Lonmin shareholder apologises for the language he used and wants to meet with survivors — who reject his apology
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa discussed the Marikana massacre for the first time in Parliament, saying he was prepared to account for his actions. In what was seen as a bid to clear a major hurdle in his campaign for top office, Ramaphosa confronted his Achilles heel and said he was willing to seek reconciliation with those he had offended. Ramaphosa is widely regarded as a contender for the ANC presidency, alongside national executive committee member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. He has previously ducked questions from opposition MPs on Marikana. However, on Thursday he opened up when quizzed by EFF MP Floyd Shivambu, who wanted to know what he had apologised for when he addressed Rhodes University students on Sunday. Ramaphosa told the students that he regretted calling for "concomitant action" in a series of e-mails to Lonmin executives and senior government officials days before the massacre. The e-mails between Ramaphosa and mining company executives showed he had asked the then ...
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