President Zuma's state of the nation speech disrupted over graft allegations

Members of South Africa's opposition have been escorted out of parliament. They had disrupted the president's annual speech with questions over funding for the refurbishment of his home.

Deutsche Welle, 12 Feb 2015

Security guards in South Africa entered the parliament on Thursday to remove opposition lawmakers after they disrupted President Jacob Zuma's annual address on the state of the nation.

Just after Zuma started his speech, far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lawmakers disrupted him with questions over a case of alleged graft to renovations to his home to the tune of $23 million (around 20 million euros).

Speaker Baleka Mbete responded to the questions, saying the day's parliament session had not been "a questions session."

After EFF lawmakers were removed by security, opposition Democratic Alliance lawmakers walked out. "You can't send police into parliament," Mmusi Maimane, the party's leader, said as he led his party out.

Zuma has been accused of using state funds for the refurbishing of his home, which is called Nkandla.

Julius Malema, the leader of the new EFF party, which was formed to create more economic equality for the poor, demands Zuma pay back the money to the state, but the president, who has been in office since 2009, has denied any wrongdoing.

sb/rc (AFP, AP, Reuters)