Opposition members scuffle with guards after president is condemned as a ‘scoundrel’ and ‘rotten to the core’

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The South African parliament descended into chaos on Thursday, with opposition politicians denouncing President Jacob Zuma as a “scoundrel” and “rotten to the core” because of corruption allegations and then brawling with guards who dragged them out of the chamber.

The raucous scenes unfolded on national television as opposition legislators tried to stop Zuma from addressing the chamber, repeatedly insulting the president and declaring him unfit for office. In the surrounding streets of Cape Town, police and hundreds of members of the military patrolled to guard against protesters who want Zuma to quit.

Security teams were eventually called into the chamber to remove red-clad members of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), some of whom scuffled with guards.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Photograph: Sumaya Hisham/AFP/Getty Images

Lawmakers from the Democratic Alliance, the country’s biggest opposition group, then walked out in protest. Some members of the ruling African National Congress party heckled them as they left.

“Out! Out!” they shouted.

“Finally,” said a laughing Zuma, who then started an annual address on the economy and other national matters.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Julius Malema, dressed in red, under guard after leaving parliament. Photograph: Schalk van Zuydam/AP

A politically weakened figure, the president has faced calls to resign even from factions of the ruling party. Some ANC members blame Zuma’s scandals for the party’s poor performance in local elections in August, in which it lost control of several key metropolitan areas.

Critics condemned an announcement by Zuma’s office that 441 members of the military would assist police in maintaining order during the speech and the opening of parliament. The military has previously been deployed for the event, but the security operation was among the largest in recent years.

Jacob Zuma is on the edge and in retreat Read more

While at least one group of protesters scuffled with police who blocked their path, the streets were mostly calm before the speech, in contrast to the events later in parliament.

The EFF leader, Julius Malema, said Zuma was “rotten to the core”. Other opposition legislators described the president as a “scoundrel” and a “constitutional delinquent”.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest South African police riot squad clash with ANC supporters. Photograph: STR/EPA

The hours leading up to Zuma’s speech featured the pomp associated with the annual opening of parliament, when dignitaries walk on a red carpet and pose for cameras.

Zuma has been under scrutiny for an allegedly improper relationship with the Guptas, a business family who have been accused of meddling in top government appointments. The president has denied wrongdoing, so have the Guptas.

Zuma, who took office in 2009, also reimbursed the state 7.8m rand (£465,000) in a scandal over upgrades to his private home.