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| ANC elder quits Lonmin after criticism over Marikana emails | ANC elder quits Lonmin after criticism over Marikana emails |
| (4 months later) | |
| Cyril Ramaphosa, the business mogul and deputy president of South Africa's governing party, has resigned from the mining company whose dispute with workers led to a police massacre last August. | Cyril Ramaphosa, the business mogul and deputy president of South Africa's governing party, has resigned from the mining company whose dispute with workers led to a police massacre last August. |
| Ramaphosa was criticised when it emerged he had sent emails to Lonmin mine management and government ministries describing the protesters' violent behaviour at Marikana as "plainly dastardly criminal" and requiring "concomitant action". | Ramaphosa was criticised when it emerged he had sent emails to Lonmin mine management and government ministries describing the protesters' violent behaviour at Marikana as "plainly dastardly criminal" and requiring "concomitant action". |
| A day later police unleashed a barrage of automatic-rifle fire at the workers, killing 34 and injuring 78 in the deadliest security crackdown since the end of apartheid. Critics accused Ramaphosa, one of South Africa's richest men, of exploiting his connections and "having the blood of Marikana workers on his hands". | A day later police unleashed a barrage of automatic-rifle fire at the workers, killing 34 and injuring 78 in the deadliest security crackdown since the end of apartheid. Critics accused Ramaphosa, one of South Africa's richest men, of exploiting his connections and "having the blood of Marikana workers on his hands". |
| But this did not prevent him winning election last month as deputy president of the African National Congress (ANC), prompting a review of his lucrative business interests, which has led to his departure from both Lonmin and the packaging group Mondi. | But this did not prevent him winning election last month as deputy president of the African National Congress (ANC), prompting a review of his lucrative business interests, which has led to his departure from both Lonmin and the packaging group Mondi. |
| "The review of existing positions, responsibilities and obligations is necessary to address any potential conflicts of interest," Ramaphosa, 60, said on Wednesday. "And to ensure that I can adequately perform the responsibilities of my new position. | "The review of existing positions, responsibilities and obligations is necessary to address any potential conflicts of interest," Ramaphosa, 60, said on Wednesday. "And to ensure that I can adequately perform the responsibilities of my new position. |
| "This review, which requires consultation with affected companies and other relevant stakeholders, is ongoing. I will make further public statements at the appropriate time." | "This review, which requires consultation with affected companies and other relevant stakeholders, is ongoing. I will make further public statements at the appropriate time." |
| Ramaphosa, whose fortune from investments that include mining, fast food and mobile telecommunications is estimated at $675m (£426m), has a number of boardroom roles, including at Standard Bank – South Africa's biggest bank – financial services group Alexander Forbes and at SAB Miller, whose brands include Peroni, Grolsch and Australia's Victoria Bitter | Ramaphosa, whose fortune from investments that include mining, fast food and mobile telecommunications is estimated at $675m (£426m), has a number of boardroom roles, including at Standard Bank – South Africa's biggest bank – financial services group Alexander Forbes and at SAB Miller, whose brands include Peroni, Grolsch and Australia's Victoria Bitter |
| London-based Lonmin confirmed Ramaphosa, a non-executive board member, had informed the board he would not stand for re-election at its forthcoming annual meeting on 31 January. | London-based Lonmin confirmed Ramaphosa, a non-executive board member, had informed the board he would not stand for re-election at its forthcoming annual meeting on 31 January. |
| Roger Phillimore, the company's chairman, said: "The wisdom of his contributions has been invaluable to the company, and we will miss his measured but forceful participation in our affairs. On behalf of our shareholders, I would like to convey our very best wishes to him in his new and important role." | Roger Phillimore, the company's chairman, said: "The wisdom of his contributions has been invaluable to the company, and we will miss his measured but forceful participation in our affairs. On behalf of our shareholders, I would like to convey our very best wishes to him in his new and important role." |
| Ramaphosa was an inspirational figure in the struggle against South Africa's white minority regime, leader of the mineworkers union and co-author of the highly esteemed post-apartheid constitution. His perceived absorption by the elite is therefore regarded by some as indicative of how the idealism of that time has succumbed to crony capitalism. | Ramaphosa was an inspirational figure in the struggle against South Africa's white minority regime, leader of the mineworkers union and co-author of the highly esteemed post-apartheid constitution. His perceived absorption by the elite is therefore regarded by some as indicative of how the idealism of that time has succumbed to crony capitalism. |
| Paper manufacturer Mondi, where Ramaphosa is joint chairman, announced that he would be stepping down on 3 May. | Paper manufacturer Mondi, where Ramaphosa is joint chairman, announced that he would be stepping down on 3 May. |
| The Ethics Institute of South Africa welcomed Ramaphosa's decision to resign in a country where corruption looms large and the line between business and politics is often blurred. "The moment you get decisive action and people setting the right tone, others in the vicinity start to follow," said its chief executive, Deon Rossouw. "I think that's one of our biggest challenges in South Africa at the moment." | The Ethics Institute of South Africa welcomed Ramaphosa's decision to resign in a country where corruption looms large and the line between business and politics is often blurred. "The moment you get decisive action and people setting the right tone, others in the vicinity start to follow," said its chief executive, Deon Rossouw. "I think that's one of our biggest challenges in South Africa at the moment." |
| Ramaphosa has offered to testify at the ongoing Marikana commission of inquiry. | Ramaphosa has offered to testify at the ongoing Marikana commission of inquiry. |
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