Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa's first day of testimony at the Marikana Commission of Inquiry was marred by chaos as protesters and police came close to blows at the entrance of the venue, near the assembly of the commission.

Protesters who had come in large numbers, were prevented by police from entering the gate of Tshwane Metro Council premises in Centurion, Pretoria.

SAPS and metro police had their hands full trying to prevent those who were still outside, while battling those that had entered.

One of the protesters, Siviwe Sobopha argued with the police to allow those outside to be allowed in.

"When Mr X testified we all came in. We took turns at the overflow room. one group after the other took turns to witness the evidence. I don't why is it different today. Is Ramaphosa treated differently because he is the deputy president?", he asked.

Commission spokesman Advocate Phuti Setati said there had been a problem with the space to accommodate all of them.

"We have a 30 people capacity space available. The auditorium is already packed. We are counting space for the overflow room, which already has people inside," Setati said.

The Marikana Commission is probing the death of 44 people during a deadly strike by Lonmin's Marikana platinum mineworkers near Rustenburg in August 2012.

Ramaphosa is being questioned about his involvement, in which he has been accused of ordering the murder of 34 mineworkers on August 16.

- Click here to read Cyril Ramaphosa's statement

- Click here to read Ramaphosa's email correspondence that took place in 2012