SOUTH AFRICA: Fights break out in parliament

Scuffles have broken out in South Africa’s parliament between the radical opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and other opposition parties after lawmakers exchanged slurs during a question and answer session with the president. MP Agang Andries Tlouamma started the exchange of words when he insulted a member of the EFF using an expletive. Prior to […]

Scuffles have broken out in South Africa’s parliament between the radical opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and other opposition parties after lawmakers exchanged slurs during a question and answer session with the president.

MP Agang Andries Tlouamma started the exchange of words when he insulted a member of the EFF using an expletive.

Prior to the open fist fight the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Chief Whip, John Steenhuisen, called EFF members “VBS looters” referring to alleged theft of money from the VBS bank.

EFF MPs reacted by calling him a “white racist”. A brawl then ensued.

The house chairperson in parliament Thoko Didiza pleaded with the lawmakers to be orderly.

President Ramaphosa was forced to take his seat as Ms Didiza suspended proceedings and called the sergeant of arms to stop the physical fights.

President Ramaphosa pleaded with the MPs to stop the race-based fights.