South
Africa’s parliament collapsed into unprecedented chaos Thursday as a group of
radical law-makers hijacked presidential question time, standing and yelling
repeatedly at President Jacob Zuma: “Pay back the money”.
Members of
the Economic Freedom Fighters, led by firebrand Julius Malema, were not
satisfied with Zuma’s response to questions over the $24 million of taxpayers’
money spent on “security upgrades” at his private residence.
Speaker
Baleka Mbete ordered the group of around 20 lawmakers out of parliament but
they refused to budge.
She then
called on security for help and all MPs were asked to vacate the chamber while
the EFF members were dealt with.
Zuma, who had
at first smiled as the chanting began, was among the first to leave.
For around 10
minutes, live broadcasts of parliament showed the EFF members alone in the
assembly and still chanting.
They were
dressed in their usual outfits of red overalls and maid’s uniforms, which they
say represent their solidarity with the poor.
Then both
sound and vision from parliament were cut, leaving viewers to speculate how the
rebels were being dealt with.
A report by
South Africa’s government-appointed Public Protector had called for Zuma to
repay some of the millions spent on items such as a swimming pool,
amphitheatre, cattle kraal and chicken run at his rural home in Nkandla.
After
delaying his response beyond deadlines, Zuma said he had appointed the police
minister to decide whether he needed to pay back any of the money.
The EFF
accuses Zuma’s ruling African National Congress of selling-out to white
economic interests since the end of apartheid 20 years ago, and wants to
nationalise mines, banks and white-owned land.
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