Emsie Ferreira
The opening of parliament descended into farce on Thursday evening with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) making good on threats to interrupt President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address.
Speaker Baleka Mbete soon lost her cool and asked EFF members to withdraw from the chamber after they interrupted Zuma's speech every few minutes.
She said to EFF leader Julius Malema: “Honourable Malema, I really have to prevail on you to leave the chamber.”
Cries of “Zupta must fall” echoed through the House as the EFF walked out.
The EFF made good on their threat to disrupt Zuma’s address with a question about the axing of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.
EFF MP Godrich Gardee rose on a point of order, saying Zuma had read two pages of a speech without mentioning Nene and explaining his removal.
When Zuma ignored him and continued his speech, he shouted: “Sit down Mr Zupta!”
Mbete told Gardee that his point was not relevant to Zuma's address.
Gardee shot back: “It is very relevant - R500 billion gone.”
He was told to sit down, and Zuma resumed his speech, but lost his place and repeated several paragraphs about the need to fight racism.
The EFF continued to disturb proceedings before being told to leave.
African News Agency