Ramaphosa hits back at renewed Marikana criticism
President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied claims that he needs to be held accountable for the killing of 34 mineworkers during the Marikana massacre in 2012.
At the same time, the president has welcomed the judgment handed down in the civil suit brought against him by Lonmin workers.
The High Court in Johannesburg ruling opens the way for the victims' families, who are seeking millions in compensation, to hold Ramaphosa personally liable.
The president's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the judgment included exceptions.
"Disturbingly, the ongoing politicisation of this tragedy led to the unfair targeting and isolated allocation of responsibility to the president. Others have sought to create a false impression that President Ramaphosa bears liability for the killings.
"The High Court agreed with the president’s arguments and held that the plaintiffs had not established that the president bore any legal duty in relation to the Marikana tragedy. The court rejected the plaintiff’s argument that certain email communications from President Ramaphosa sought to call for the murder of the striking workers.”
Magwenya also denies claims of collusion between Ramaphosa and then senior government officials.
"On the allegations that President Ramaphosa owed a duty of care to the plaintiffs due to his role as director of Lonmin, the High Court agreed with the President that the allegation was incorrect as a matter of law."
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