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Minister Shabangu demands an apology and retraction from eNCA

It appears from the Official Transcript of the proceedings at the Marikana Commission of Enquiry that the eNews (eNCA) report on Minister Susan Shabangu's evidence earlier in the week, is incorrect. Nowhere in Minister Shabangu's evidence did she state that "Ramaphosa (is) a liar" as widely reported by eNews.

Minister Shabangu, who is now the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women denies that she called Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa a liar, as reported by eNCA.

The Official Transcript of the Commission has now become available and confirms that the Minister never said what eNews reported.

The Minister recounted a discussion with Mr Cyril Ramaphosa on the day before the shooting of striking mine workers on 16 August 2012. Mr Ramaphosa was a Director of Lonmin at that time.

Responding to a question by Advocate Dali Mpofu, who represents the arrested and injured miners, Minister Shabangu said: "your own words, Mr Mpofu. Mr Chairman, I haven't lied. I have presented myself to this Commission." When asked by Mpofu whether, "if we accept that, then he's the one that is presenting something that is not actually true?" Minister Shabangu responded, "Mr Chairman, I can't answer on behalf of Mr Ramaphosa".

When Mpofu said that "anyone who says you changed your characterisation is lying," Judge Farlam intervened and said that:

"It doesn't follow from the fact that the witnesses' evidence conflict that one or other is lying. There's also the possibility that one of them is mistaken.".

The false report by eNCA, which was widely published on national television and in printed media, has caused significant embarrassment. Minister Shabangu has referred the matter to her legal advisers and demands an apology and retraction from eNews.

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