Chaotic scenes in South African parliament as president jeered and opposition MPs walk out

Jacob Zuma's State of the Union speech was constantly interrupted. Credit: Reuters

Video report by ITV News' Africa correspondent John Ray

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma was forced to briefly abandon his annual State of the Nation speech in Parliament as it was interrupted by members of the opposition.

Mr Zuma, who has been under pressure due to the country's struggling economy and accusations of waste and mismanagement, had just begun giving his address when leader of the Congress of the People, Mosiuoa Lekota, stood up on a point of order.

While Mr Lekota and the Parliament's speaker Baleka Mbete argued over the interruption Mr Zuma reportedly left the Chamber.

ITV News' Africa correspondent John Ray was watching the chaotic proceedings.

Mr Zuma eventually returned to deliver his speech but it was punctuated by continued interruptions from the opposition including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.

Before Mr Zuma could finish the leader of the EFF Julius Malema and his members were ordered to leave the Chamber by the speaker.

Earlier in the day hundreds of protesters marched outside the Parliament building to demonstrate against President Zuma.

Mr Zuma has faced growing criticism over a taxpayer-funded upgrade to his private home and years of weak economic growth in Africa's most industrialised country.

At least 300 demonstrators walked past South Africa's Parliament building. Credit: APTN
Riot police watched protesters march through Cape Town's main street. Credit: APTN

Police set up barbed wire barricades to keep protesters away but about 300 marchers walked through Cape Town's main street, shouting: "Zuma Must Fall" and waving placards.