评论
打印
Chaos in South Africa's parliament
南非议会发生混乱
Scuffles in South Africa's parliament -- opposition lawmakers are removed by force after disrupting President Jacob Zuma's annual address. Several people were injured. Moments earlier, members of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters interrupted Zuma's speech to challenge him about graft allegations and a state-funded security upgrade of his rural home. Speaker of the House Baleka Mbete warned members, including party leader Julius Malema to sit down, but they didn't follow her orders. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LEADER OF THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS, JULIUS MALEMA, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE PART OVERLAID WITH MBETE ORDERING MALEMA TO LEAVE THE CHAMBER) "I'm not going to leave. I'm not working for you. I'm not here on your invitation, I'm elected to be here. Never, I'm not going to leave. I'm elected to be here." It was an unprecedented sign of discontent at Zuma's administration. Malema's party wears red overalls and hard hats in the chamber, to symbolise their ties to the working classes. He says members will remain defiant. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS (EFF) LEADER, JULIUS MALEMA, SAYING: "And we are going to continue holding this executive accountable, we are going to be part of this parliament, we not going anywhere, we will continue to raise our issues without fear or favour." The president's popularity has been waning, following what was seen as extravagant spending on his rural home, and as South Africa's economy slowed sharply.
