Scuffle in South African Parliament

No fewer than four South African Lawmakers have been injured in a scuffle that ensued in the country’s parliament.
Parliamentarians on Thursday almost came to blows after they traded insults on the floor of the chamber that opposition leaders say is fast becoming the lair of the ruling African National Congress.
On Friday, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) raised concerns that recent disruptions by opposition parties in parliament could lead to the institution losing its integrity.
The parliament reportedly turned into a scene of chaos when lawmakers told Baleka Mbete, National Assembly Speaker “you must go!” after she attempted to delay discussions over a corruption report involving President Jacob Zuma.
According to reports from Al Jazeera, Mbete’s move enraged lawmakers in the parliament resulting in opposition parties demanding the speaker reverse her decision.
Opposition politicians accused Mbete, a member of the ruling ANC, of bias after she postponed the debate on the $23m state-funded upgrade to the president’s private residence.
One of its members shouted at Mbete: “You won’t get away with this one.” John Henry Steenhuisen, chief whip of the main opposition Democratic Alliance, said the speaker changed the order of debate at the behest of ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe.
“I am amazed by your excitement,” Mbete said, eventually overturning her decision. The ruckus was captured and streamed live online and on a paid-for television channel and went viral on the social media almost immediately, drawing outrage and ridicule from South African citizens all over.
One opposition parliamentarian, Ngwanamakwetle Mashabela from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was asked to withdraw her statement that described Zuma as a “criminal”.
Mashabela, who was quoted to have said, “President Zuma is a thief. He is a criminal. He is the greatest thief in the world”, was thrown out by public order Police officers after she refused to stop her outrageous statements.
There is the belief that if EFF’s Mashabela MP opines that President Zuma is a thief, surely she should be able to say so in parliament and not be assaulted by SAPS. However, her manners of presentation were in question.
A statement issued by Spokesman Zizi Kodwa reads: “Yesterday [Thursday]… the nation watched with shock and horror as the National Assembly degenerated into a chaotic circus due to the unruly conduct of members,” spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela reported in March that Zuma had “benefited unduly” from some of the upgrades, which included a cattle enclosure and amphitheatre, and should pay back some of the costs of the unnecessary renovations.
The alternative parliamentary report cleared Zuma of any blame over the upgrades but opposition lawmakers were expected to reject the findings and call for the president to resign.
The national assembly report was compiled only by ANC members after opponents walked out of the committee, saying it was created solely to protect Zuma.
Police officials are not allowed to enter parliament unless the speaker or deputy speaker requests their presence.