Brawl breaks out in South African parliament

Members of Economic Freedom Fighters party attempt to stop address by Jacob Zuma

Members of the leftist opposition party were removed from South Africa's parliament after they tried to stop President Jacob Zuma from giving a speech. Video: Reuters

South Africa's parliamentary protection services forcibly removed members of the ultra-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party from the chamber on Tuesday as they attempted to prevent an address by president Jacob Zuma.

The EFF argued that Mr Zuma was not fit to address the house after recent court decisions against the president.

"We are going to put our lives in defence of this constitution. Zuma will never find peace in this parliament . . . We cannot be led by a man who failed to uphold, defend and protect the constitution," EFF leader Julius Malema told reporters after he was ejected from the assembly.

Reuters