Chaos in S. African Parliament Overshadows Zuma’s Speech
This article is for subscribers only.
South African opposition parties staged an unprecedented protest and walkout during President Jacob Zuma’s annual state-of-the-nation address Thursday, overshadowing his reassurances that the government is tackling an energy crisis.
Scuffles broke out when more than 20 armed security personnel forcibly ejected lawmakers from the Economic Freedom Fighters from the National Assembly in Cape Town after they ignored demands by Speaker Baleka Mbete to leave the chamber. They had interrupted Zuma’s speech, demanding to know when he would comply with a call by the nation’s graft ombudsman to repay state funds spent on upgrading his private home.