Parliamentary members went up in arms at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2015.
President Jacob Zuma only greeted the nation before he was interrupted.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Members of Parliament were escorted out of Parliament after attempting to ask when the President will pay back the money.
Watch EFF forcefully thrown out of parliament.
Moments later the Democratic Alliance (DA) members exited the house stating that armed South African Police Services members were in Parliament.
Ward 86 councillor Steve Kotzeé reacted to SONA incidents.
“The EFF had a point. I don’t agree with their method of executing or handling the situation but the President has been asked questions he refuses to answer. He has a responsibility to the country.
“In addition, it seems like the South African Police Service was brought into Parliament. If the DA had stayed in Parliament after the discovery they would have been in the wrong.”
According to Kotzé, similar behaviour occurs in council meetings. “Similar things are happening in council. The ruling party sometimes does not follow rules. The DA has walked out of council. Rules have to be followed at all times. We must draw the line and lead.”
On the other hand, Ward 88 councillor Patricia Brugman- Richards said two major points from President Zuma’s speech stood out for her.
“The President said two things that will affect this country. He said foreigners are no longer allowed to own land and the Russian treaty for nuclear power.”
According to Richards, there was lack of transparency in the President’s speech.
“It was only the ANC sitting and falling asleep last night. The DA did well by leaving the event. I am worried however because they arrested people outside who were peacefully protesting.
“In addition, you cannot have an armed police force inside Parliament. It is ridiculous because they even jammed phone signals. There were a lot of wrong things,. Richards concluded.
According to Mail & Guardian, ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said, “If we allow Parliament to become a circus, we are destroying democracy.”
“We had to show them who is in charge,” said Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.
When Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Petterson said, “They must know we are not here to play,” she said as she joined in the singing of victory songs. Mpumalanga Premier David ‘DD’ Mabuza, who was one of the first to join in the merriment on the steps of Parliament, said the ANC had won the fight. “I am in a fighting mood. They took us on and we won,” he said.
