The State of the Nation address in parliament descended into chaos and violence last night.
President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address 2015 was marred by unprecedented scenes of anarchy in Parliament on Thursday.
Before the President could start delivering his speech, DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane spoke up after it had emerged that the cellphone signal had been jammed, preventing the media from reporting from inside the House.
“We simply cannot proceed if unless we disconnect that blocking device. If you rule that we must continue with that blocking device we will challenge that ruling in Parliament and if need be in court.” said Maimane.
Not long after the President began his speech, the Economic Freedom Fighters MPs made good on their promise to disrupt the president during his address.
EFF MPs then were forcibly removed from parliament, after disrupting the President’s speech.
Shortly afterwards, the Democratic Alliance left the house in protest of what they believed were police who had been instructed to forcibly remove EFF members from the House.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa soon followed.
EFF protests outside the NA as President Zuma delivers his #SONA2015 @eNCAnews pic.twitter.com/Nup4AAnd0W
— Paula Chowles (@Paulachowles) February 12, 2015
Julius Malema after being removed from the National Assembly. You can see his torn shirt. #SONA2015 @eNCAnews pic.twitter.com/sk9S59xPih
— Dianne Hawker (@diannehawker) February 12, 2015
-eNCA