“Zupta must fall”, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members chanted in parliament as they were booted out by the speaker of parliament Baleka Mbethe as they continued interrupting President Jacob Zuma as he delivered his toughest State of the Nation Address (Sona) of his career.

The members were referring to the president’s close ties with the wealthy Indian Gupta family. The family has been accused of controlling the president and many other government officials including those who are in the management of government parastatals.

After the chaotic walkout, Justice Malala, one of South Africa’s most respected political commentators and newspaper columnists, on his twitter account @justicemalala said, “Calm has returned to #parliament. President Jacob ZUPTA now proceeds with the speech he picked up in Saxonwold a few days ago.”

Saxonwold is where the Gupta family resides. Meanwhile Democratic Alliance ‏@Our_DA stated, “The family feud between the ANC and EFF continues to pull focus from crucial issues facing South Africa.”

#SONA2016 – Everything you need to know

A member of the public Poppy Ntshongwana ‏@PoppyIsMyName tweeted, “So the EFF left after chanting ‘Zupta Must Fall.’ Ok …. I guess they’ve made their point.

Meanwhile an SABC soccer commentator Thomas Mlambo using soccer terminology ‏@thomasmlambo said, “Ball is back in play #SONA2016 President Zuma is in possession. Hopefully no more slide tackles for ref to deal with for remainder.”

The Sona was very chaotic from the beginning as EFF members and Congress of the People (Cope) president Terror Lekota continuously interrupted the proceedings even before the president started speaking. Lekota was also booted out as he refused to listen to president Zuma.

Kieno Kammies ‏@KienoKammies said, “This is what we have become because of the relentless protection of one man.”

Both Baleka Mbete, Speaker of the National Assembly and Thandi Modise, chairperson of the National Council of Provinces as usual struggled to control the proceedings.

With the EFF gone things became much calmer, although there were still people speaking on the background.

SABC Digital News published this video on their Youtube channel: