Nzimande denies marches meant as show of support for Ramaphosa
South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Blade Nzimande has denied suggestions that the Cosatu-led marches around the country was actually meant as a show of support for deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.
Both the SACP and Cosatu have expressed their support for Ramaphosa to take over as African National Congress (ANC) president at the party's elective conference in December.
The countrywide marches were ostensibly in protest against state capture, corruption and job losses, but in many instances songs were sung in support of Ramaphosa.
Many marchers also waved placards pronouncing Ramaphosa as their preferred candidate to take over from President Jacob Zuma.
Speaking to reporters following the conclusion of the march in Johannesburg, Nzimande labelled the allegations as a "conspiracy”.
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"We are very pleased that it's been a huge success, because it's high time that workers stand up and say 'we are not going to allow this and our country is not up for sale'. So there is no conspiracy here of fighting a factionalist fight inside the ANC.
"I mean, I don't think there are workers that would be so stupid that they can come out in these numbers on a narrow thing, you know, as to who is going to be elected in the ANC in December."