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Punches thrown in Parliament [video]

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Punches were thrown in Parliament on Tuesday as Parliament protection services were called on to escort Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs out of the house.

The above video is the lead up to the fracas that took place in Parliament on 17 April 2016.

A brutal fistfight broke out in the South African parliament Tuesday as security guards ejected opposition lawmakers in an ugly fracas that underlined heightened political tensions over Jacob Zuma’s presidency.

About 20 Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party members, who were wrestled from their seats by plain-clothed guards, had refused to let Zuma speak and furiously shouted down the Speaker, Baleka Mbete.

As Zuma looked on impassively, the EFF lawmakers – dressed in their uniform of red workers’ overalls – fought back to try to remain in the chamber before they were physically removed through a side door.

A cacophony of heckling‚ shouting and screaming filled the chamber. “Zuma is the one who must go‚” “you can do anything you want to do … you can kill us‚ we are not scared of anything … We won’t keep quiet‚” said EFF members. “Sergeant at arms tell Zuma to go. Sergeant at arms tell Zuma to go‚” shouted somebody from the benches.

Parliamentary protection services members were pelted with objects as the gathered around the EFF members‚ who broke into song‚ and grabbed hold of them.

Some of the protesters were physically dragged out of the National Assembly.

There was harsh criticism from DA chief whip John Steenhuisen over the fact that parliamentary protection services officials were not wearing name badges and could not be identified.

Mbete called medical personnel shortly after proceedings resumed and Zuma had started answering questions from MPs.

Malema vowed outside of the National Assembly that there would be no “business as usual” in parliament until Zuma resigned. “Every time he comes here‚ the same thing will happen‚” he said.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.