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Yesterday’s state of the nation address was once again filled with heightened emotion and passion, mainly from the opposition. Before President Jacob Zuma even rose to address the joint sitting of Parliament, the Economic Freedom Fighters were on their feet calling for a point of order. Zuma eventually managed to make it to the podium but barely got through the greeting when a plethora of voices forced the speakers to make him take his seat. And then chaos ensued, again.
But even before the honourable members of Parliament appeared in the Mother City, 441 South African National Defence Force members patrolled the streets.
In Adderley Street soldiers carrying rifles were seen patrolling after President Jacob Zuma ordered 441 SANDF members to be on guard at the opening of Parliament with no exact reason other than it was for “confidential” security reasons. Who are you afraid of Mr President? Picture: Jaco Marais
The presence of soldiers within the Parliamentary precinct was a contentious issue with MPs as they berated the speakers with questions about why this seemingly drastic military stance was necessary. True to form the Democratic Alliance intends approaching the courts for a declaratory order on the legitimacy of soldiers within the Parliament. Shooting from the hip are we, Mr Maimane? Pictures: Nic Bothma/Pool/reuters
Members of the EFF burn an ANC shirt ahead of the state of the nation proceedings. They were protesting against the lack of leadership in government. Were the Zuma effigies all sold out, Fighters? Picture: Mike Hutchings/reuters
Supporters of the ANC were confronted by police ahead of the Sona as they insulted opposition members and asked to be let into Parliament to “deal with Malema”. Most of the protesters were school children with some still in uniform and others wearing Congress of South African Students (Cosas) shirts. Yo ANC are you letting children do your dirty work now? Picture: Mike Hutchings
The traditional guard of honour stands to attention. If only our MPs were half as disciplined as these guards. Picture: Roger Bosch/Pool/Reuters
Zuma arrives at Parliament with speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete and chair of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise. Oh to be a mosquito in the midst of that conversation. Picture: Jaco Marais
As the president, deputy president and the leadership of Parliament stand for the national anthem the bust of Nelson Mandela stands regal in the dusk light. Comrades let us ask ourselves: what would Madiba say? Picture: Nic Bothma/Pool/REUTERS
The DA brought posters with “Remember the Esidimeni 94” inscribed, referring to the 94 psychiatric patients who lost their lives due to negligence by the Gauteng health department. Mmusi Maimane tried to get a word in but with other opposition members rising and shouting the leader of the opposition had to wait patiently for his turn to address the House. Honourable Maimane, we recognise you. Picture: Sumaya Hisham/Reuters
After almost an hour of disruptions and interruptions the “White Shirts” were ordered in to escort the EFF members out of the National Assembly. Before being man-handled Malema kept shouting “yes, kill me now!” to the security personnel. Eina, ouch, is this real life? Picture: Sumaya Hisham/Reuters
After being asked to take his seat as the opposition members raised points of order or privilege, or really anything that they could think of, Zuma enjoyed the fireworks, insults and punch-ups that followed from the comfort of that lush leather seat. A penny for your thoughts uBaba. Picture: Sumaya Hisham/Reuters
The EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was forcibly removed from the House, but not before he aimed this gem at Zuma: “You’re a constitutional delinquent”. Be careful with that face, white shirts. The people’s bae is a national keypoint. PHOTO: Sumaya Hisham/Reuters
Security officials took no prisoners when they removed the EFF members from the chamber. EFF members tried to defend themselves with hard hats and water bottles, but that wasn’t enough as white shirts dragged them out. Not even getting dragged on social media could top this. PHOTO: Sumaya Hisham/Reuters
After the EFF was kicked out the DA also left the chambers, peacefully this time. Outside, Maimane seethed that a moment of silence could not be held for the patients who lost their lives during the Esidimeni saga. We feel your pain Mmusi but please, no grandstanding. Picture: Nic Bothma/Pool/Reuters
After he was kicked out, Malema speaks to media outside Parliament saying that they will not accept a situation where the Constitutional Court is rendered useless, referring to the ruling that Zuma broke his oath of office. “We are prepared to leave this Parliament in a coffin” he told journalists. The master of the quote strikes again. PHOTO: Nic Bothma/Pool/Reuters
With the EFF kicked out and the DA walking out, the atmosphere in Parliament dropped a few notches but, outside, MPs still continued to voice their dismay and anger at what had transpired. This is probably the expression all of us wore during the disruptions. Picture: Nic Bothma/Reuters
Menwhile, back inside the House Zuma smiled that charming grin and proceeded to finally deliver the state of the nation address with ANC MPs clapping and praising him and his vision. After all this commotion he’s still number one. Picture: Sumaya Hisham/Reuters
