Sona marred by violence, insults
‘TSOTSI’: ZUMA LAUGHS AS VIOLENCE ENSUES
DA whip says speaker breaks Parliament, shouted down as ‘racist’ by ANC.
Freedom of movement in South Africa and the country’s Constitution have been “suspended” by President Jacob Zuma and those who support him, alleged Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.
Malema was speaking last night after he and his fellow MPs were violently ejected from Parliament during the State of the Nation address (Sona) by President Zuma, which got of to a chaotic start as EFF members refused to allow the president to speak for over an hour and 20 minutes. The EFF MPs labeled Zuma
a “constitutional delinquent”, and initially shouted “Tsoti”, the isiXhosa word for thief, as Zuma entered the National Assembly chamber.
Violent clashes erupted between EFF MPs and parliament’s protection services as speaker Baleka Mbete ordered the party’s removal. Malema said he would leave, but directed a tirade at the speaker, as riot police approached the Poorthuis entrance. A couple of minutes before the MPs were thrown out, riot police officers were seen running out of parliament’s basement parking.
The EFF’s Fana Mokoena’s face was covered in blood while an angry Malema addressed media, stun grenades detonated in the background.
As the violence ensued, Zuma could be seen laughing. Malema said the EFF was prepared to leave parliament in coffins, vowing that they would do whatever it takes to protect the country against Zuma.
DA and Cope MPs also walked out of Parliament, saying they were not prepared to listen to Zuma. Democratic Alliance chief whip John Steenhuisen challenged
You are irrational, you are impatient, you are partisan, even your own people have dumped you because of exactly this conduct.
Julius Malema EFF leader to Mbete
Mbete allowing security forces into Parliament in a violation of the law and court orders. “You are breaking Parliament. That man has broken South Africa and you are breaking Parliament,” he charged.
At this, Steenhuisen was shouted down from the ruling party benches as a “racist”.
Outside, following the exit by parties, an angry Cope leader, Mosiuoa Lekota said: “These are battles. This here is a criminal; the courts have found him guilty of breaking the Constitution, so we can’t be governed by this guy.”–