Troops to be deployed inside Parliament during President Zuma's address

For the first time in South African history, more than 400 soldiers will join the security team in Parliament during the annual state of the nation address (SONA) by President Jacob Zuma. According to a statement released by the presidency, the deployment of troops is to maintain order during the address.

The democratic nation has enjoyed peaceful proceedings in the national assembly since its first sitting in 2008. But, for the past two years the ruling party has been involved in a brawl with the opposition MPs during the proceedings.

Use of excessive force against MPs

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) since they won Parliamentary seats during the general elections in 2014 has proved Zuma’s opening of the national assembly a chaotic affair, with the 'red barrettes' as they are known in South Africa chanting and jeering at the President over corruption scandals.

During the 2015 address, the new comers - EFF- were physically removed out of the assembly by security officers disguised as waiters.

IN 2016, as soon as Zuma took the stand, the EFF led by the former President of the ruling party’s youth league which broke away from the party (ANC), shouted “pay back the money” referring to the public protectors report that the President unduly benefited over 1,70,000 dollars of taxpayers money during the upgrade of his private residence, and that he should pay back some of the money.

Zuma has refused to do so until the constitutional court orders the president to pay back the money.

Is security allowed inside South African Parliamentary gatherings?

Security services are allowed in Parliament under two circumstances - with the permission of the Speaker or Chairperson and when there is life threatening danger or destruction of property.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance has condemned the deployment of soldiers, calling for the House Speaker to explain the move of excessive force.

The Speaker Baleka Mbether who also holds a high office within the ruling party has come under criticism for allowing excessive force against elected members of Parliament to protect the president against accountability.

She has been quoted as using the term “security forces” which is often used in reference to defence force to remove MPs who disrupt the President’s speech.

The state of the nation address (SONA) is an annual joint sitting of Parliament in which the president of the Republic reports on the state of the nation. The annual event marks the opening of the Parliamentary year and is usually attended by important governmental figures of South Africa which include former presidents, chief justice of the constitutional court and other members of the judiciary, including the governor of the Reserve Bank and diplomats.

South Africans also participate though not directly but from the comfort of their homes as the event is broadcast live on state TV.

(WION)