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South African president faces protests at parliament Protests inside, outside during South African nation speech
(about 2 hours later)
JOHANNESBURG — South African police fired stun grenades at dozens of clashing supporters of the ruling African National Congress and an opposition party ahead of the much-awaited state-of-the-nation address by the president. JOHANNESBURG — Opposition members disrupted the South African president’s state-of-the-nation address on Thursday, with some lawmakers walking out of the joint session.
Earlier, members of the Ses’Khona People’s Rights Movement were pushed back by police when they tried to march to the parliament buildings in the coastal city of Cape Town, South African media reported. The group told reporters they were demonstrating over a number of issues, including racism. President Jacob Zuma had not yet stepped to the podium when opposition parties began to argue about whether the rules of parliament would allow them to interrupt the president.
“We must be governed by rules here, not emotions,” shouted Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, the second largest opposition party.
Another opposition party leader walked out of parliament saying he refused to listen to a president who is accused of violating his oath of office.
Earlier this week, South Africa’s highest court heard a case in which Zuma is accused of violating the constitution in a scandal over state spending on his private home.
As the president began to read his speech, broadcast on national television, members of the Economic Freedom Fighters interrupted him, demanding that Zuma explain why he fired the Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene in December, a move that unsettled investors and further weakened the national currency. Zuma did not respond.
Earlier in the day, South African police fired stun grenades at dozens of clashing supporters of the ruling African National Congress and the Economic Freedom Fighters, ahead of the much-awaited state-of-the-nation address by the president.
Members of the Ses’Khona People’s Rights Movement were also pushed back by police when they tried to march to the parliament buildings in the coastal city of Cape Town, South African media reported. The group told reporters they were demonstrating over a number of issues, including racism.
A few kilometers away, politicians and dignitaries arrived at parliament amid tight security. Undeterred by the chaos in the city streets, they walked a red carpet to the doors of parliament, many dressed in designer gowns and suits.A few kilometers away, politicians and dignitaries arrived at parliament amid tight security. Undeterred by the chaos in the city streets, they walked a red carpet to the doors of parliament, many dressed in designer gowns and suits.
President Jacob Zuma could face disruption inside the parliament building during his speech later, which will be shown live on television. Some opposition lawmakers have threatened to interrupt proceedings because of a scandal over millions of dollars in state spending on the president’s private home.
Zuma offered to pay back some money in a concession to critics, who accuse him of violating the constitution.
The president is also under pressure to explain why he fired Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene in December, a move that unsettled investors and further weakened the national currency.
South Africa is struggling with slow economic growth.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.