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South Africa parliament chaos as Malema MPs heckle Zuma | South Africa parliament chaos as Malema MPs heckle Zuma |
(about 9 hours later) | |
South Africa's parliament descended into chaos as leftist MPs scuffled with security during a key annual speech by President Jacob Zuma. | South Africa's parliament descended into chaos as leftist MPs scuffled with security during a key annual speech by President Jacob Zuma. |
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, repeatedly interrupted Mr Zuma, demanding answers over a spending scandal. | The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, repeatedly interrupted Mr Zuma, demanding answers over a spending scandal. |
The speaker of parliament then ordered their removal, prompting scuffles. | The speaker of parliament then ordered their removal, prompting scuffles. |
The largest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, walked out in protest at their expulsion. | The largest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, walked out in protest at their expulsion. |
"You can't send police into parliament," said Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane. | "You can't send police into parliament," said Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane. |
The EFF used President Zuma's annual State of the Nation speech to question him about a state-funded, multi-million dollar upgrade to his private residence. | The EFF used President Zuma's annual State of the Nation speech to question him about a state-funded, multi-million dollar upgrade to his private residence. |
They were evicted by large numbers of security guards. Among those thrown out was Mr Malema. | They were evicted by large numbers of security guards. Among those thrown out was Mr Malema. |
At the scene: Andrew Harding, BBC News | At the scene: Andrew Harding, BBC News |
It began rather politely - an EFF MP standing up to interrupt President Zuma about one minute after he had launched into the substance of his State of the Nation address. | It began rather politely - an EFF MP standing up to interrupt President Zuma about one minute after he had launched into the substance of his State of the Nation address. |
The speaker of parliament, Baleka Mbete, was expecting it, and urged the MP, and others who followed suit, to leave their questions for another occasion. | The speaker of parliament, Baleka Mbete, was expecting it, and urged the MP, and others who followed suit, to leave their questions for another occasion. |
But when Julius Malema loudly demanded the president "pay back the money" from the upgrade to his home, the speaker ordered him to leave. | |
Malema refused, and suddenly several dozen white-shirted security officials were pouring into the room. They crowded around the EFF and began to pull the MPs out of the chamber. | Malema refused, and suddenly several dozen white-shirted security officials were pouring into the room. They crowded around the EFF and began to pull the MPs out of the chamber. |
I saw one MP try to swing a punch, and another threw his red hard hat at the officials. There were more scuffles and loud shouts. Shirts were torn. | I saw one MP try to swing a punch, and another threw his red hard hat at the officials. There were more scuffles and loud shouts. Shirts were torn. |
Within a few minutes all the EFF MPs had been removed from parliament and the ANC majority began cheering in their seats. | Within a few minutes all the EFF MPs had been removed from parliament and the ANC majority began cheering in their seats. |
He defended his MPs actions, calling it a legitimate attempt to defend democracy, adding that seven of his party had been injured and would be pressing charges. | He defended his MPs actions, calling it a legitimate attempt to defend democracy, adding that seven of his party had been injured and would be pressing charges. |
It is not clear whether the guards were police or parliamentary officials: an important distinction, according to one MP, who said the use of police would be a way of intimidating the opposition. | It is not clear whether the guards were police or parliamentary officials: an important distinction, according to one MP, who said the use of police would be a way of intimidating the opposition. |
Mr Malema and Mr Zuma were once close allies but the pair fell out. | Mr Malema and Mr Zuma were once close allies but the pair fell out. |
The EFF has shaken up South African politics with a series of populist proposals to redistribute wealth. | The EFF has shaken up South African politics with a series of populist proposals to redistribute wealth. |
EFF MPs accuse Mr Zuma of benefitting unduly from taxpayer-funded upgrades to his private residence in the village of Nkandla and they wanted Mr Zuma to answer questions about this before making his state of the nation speech. | EFF MPs accuse Mr Zuma of benefitting unduly from taxpayer-funded upgrades to his private residence in the village of Nkandla and they wanted Mr Zuma to answer questions about this before making his state of the nation speech. |
Last year an independent inquiry found the president had "unduly benefited" from the expensive upgrades, which included a pool and a cattle enclosure and cost about $23m (£13.8m). | Last year an independent inquiry found the president had "unduly benefited" from the expensive upgrades, which included a pool and a cattle enclosure and cost about $23m (£13.8m). |
The president has denied any wrongdoing. | The president has denied any wrongdoing. |
Despite criticism of the Nkandla upgrade and the country's stagnant economy, Mr Zuma's African National Congress was overwhelmingly re-elected last year. |