Opposition EFF MPs thrown out for heckling Zuma speech

Opposition MPs in South Africa have been thrown out of parliament during President Jacob Zuma's state of the nation address for continuous heckling.



The leader of the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters MPs said the president has made the country "a joke".

The speech is seen as a watershed moment for Mr Zuma, who is facing a court case over the use of $23m (£15m) of state money to upgrade his home.

The opposition has rejected Mr Zuma's offer to repay some of the money.

Before being ejected from parliament in Cape Town, the EFF MPs chanted "Zupta must fall", referring to the president's alleged links to the influential Gupta family.

How Zuma's home has grown

"Zuma is no longer a president that deserves respect from anyone," EFF leader Julius Malema said.

Earlier, hundreds of opposition supporters took to the streets in Cape Town to protest over a range of issues, including Mr Zuma's handling of the economy.

But supporters of the governing African National Congress (ANC) demonstrated to show their loyalty to Mr Zuma.


Source BBC