Ramaphosa refutes reports of meeting with Rupert, Ramos and Manuel
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied meeting with prominent business individuals following the appointment of Des van Rooyen as finance minister.
Ramaphosa has issued a statement, in response to a report in the New Age newspaper that he met with Johan Rupert, Maria Ramos and Trevor Manuel.
The meeting was reportedly part of a bid to reverse the decision by President Jacob Zuma to fire Nhlanhla Nene and replace him with Van Rooyen.
Ramaphosa's spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa says the deputy president categorically denies ever having such a meeting with Rupert, Ramos and Manuel - or any other business person to discuss cabinet appointments.
"The only time that deputy president Ramaphosa engaged himself with the matter was during the meeting of the top six ANC officials with President Jacob Zuma on the Sunday leading to the appointment of Pravin Gordhan as the finance minister," he said.
Mamoepa says the reports are mischievous and misleading.
It's unfortunate that those who peddle these falsehoods did not find it within their obligation to verify the facts with the office of the deputy president before setting on publishing the story," Mamoepa added.
The decision in December saw the rand tumbling as international markets reacted to the shock sacking of Nene by Zuma.