Politicians brawl as guards eject ‘abusive’ Zuma hecklers
CAPE TOWN: A brawl broke out in South Africa’s parliament on Thursday as guards exchanged punches with opposition lawmakers who shouted down President Jacob Zuma as he tried to deliver his state of the nation address.
In chaotic scenes, guards in white shirts forcibly ejected about 25 members from the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party who prevented Mr Zuma from speaking for more than an hour.
“We have been patient with you. We have been trying to give you an opportunity to express yourselves but ... it is being abused,” speaker Baleka Mbete told the EFF lawmakers before they were thrown out.
The president’s annual address to parliament has descended into mayhem for the past three years as the EFF — dressed in red workers’ overalls and berets — attempt to disrupt his speech.
Mr Zuma, head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, appeared unperturbed by the violence unfolding in the national assembly and finally took to the podium with his trademark chuckle.
Shortly before the guards moved in, EFF leader Julius Malema described Mr Zuma as “an incorrigible man, rotten to the core”.
Mr Malema also turned his ire on speaker Ms Mbete, telling her: “Your conduct has failed you. You are irrational, impatient, partisan.”
Many benches in parliament were empty when Mr Zuma finally spoke on Thursday evening after the main Democratic Alliance party also left the chamber in protest at alleged constitutional violations.
Outside, police fired several stun grenades to keep rival ANC and EFF supporters apart.
A huge security presence was mobilised to stop a repeat of last year when major clashes erupted on the streets of Cape Town.
Inside parliament, Ms Mbete said that pepper spray had been used in the gallery which affected the VIP guests attending the speech.
She did not explain how the gas was discharged but promised an investigation into the incident.
Increased numbers of anti-apartheid veterans, ANC activists, trade unions, civil groups and business leaders have urged Mr Zuma, who is due to stand down before elections next year, to resign.
“You must know that as a nation we no longer have confidence in your leadership,” Sipho Mila Pityana, leader of the Save SA action group, said on the eve of the speech.
However Mr Zuma, who was imprisoned on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela under the apartheid regime, retains strong loyalty among many rank-and-file ANC party members and its lawmakers.