This was confirmed by Ramaphosa’s acting spokesperson Tyrone Seale, in the wake of reports that he has confirmed the attendance.
“Reports to the effect that Deputy President Ramaphosa has indicated his intention to visit Marikana on the anniversary are incorrect”.
The Presidency was responding to the leader of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) Joseph Mathunjwa that “those who lost their loved ones” in the Marikana massacre did not want Ramaphosa to be part of Wednesday’s commemoration event.
Thirty-four miners were gunned down by police five years ago at Lonmin Platinum Mine during a protracted violent strike.
Ramphosa was cleared by the Farlam Commission but accusations still hang over his head.
He was a Lonmin shareholder then.
Seale said, Ramaphosa was committed to being part of the initiative proposed by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, which will culminate in the deputy president making an apology to affected families for the words he used regarding the request for police action.
Seale is on the acting capacity following the death of former spin-doctor of note Ronnie Mamoepa recently.
