国际英语新闻:Chaos erupts in S. Africa parliament as Zuma answers questions

CAPE TOWN, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Chaos erupted again in South Africa's Parliament Tuesday as President Jacob Zuma answered questions over corruption and other pressing issues.

MPs of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) disrupted the Q&A session when Zuma took the podium.

Scuffles also broke out between EFF and ruling African National Congress (ANC) MPs, plunging Parliament into disorder.

Security officers tried to intervened, but EFF MPs were spraying them with fire extinguishers.

Parliament Speaker Baleka Mbete ordered EFF MPs to get out of the chamber when they refused to obey rules.

There were chaotic scenes when the EFF were forcibly removed from Parliament. Fists were flying, and hats, water bottles and hand bags flung.

TV footages showed EFF MPs being pushed down the steps and broken windows of Parliament, alledgedly damaged by EFF supporters.

Outside Parliament, the EFF MPs were breaking down the door and cracking the old assembly door.

ANC MPs were calling on Parliament to immediately press criminal charges against EFF MPs for assault of Parliament staff and damage to property.

As the session was going on, a group of EFF supporters were protesting outside Parliament under the watchful eyes of police.

EFF leader Malema, who was ejected from Parliament along with other EFF MPs, said they would continue the fight until Zuma was held accountable for a series of misconducts, notably his alleged involvement in the Nkandla scandal.

This refers to the security upgrades at Zuma's private home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal Province. The project allegedly cost public funding worth 246 million rand (about 17 million U.S. dollars).

Under a Constitutional Court ruling on March 31, Zuma will have to pay part of the money laverished on the project.

The Parliament session resumed after a chaotic start.

In response to a question about the Nkandla scandal, Zuma said he did not mislead MPs on the issue.

He said he did not give the green light to the project.

He said his family built the home, not the government.

"By the time the government came for extensions, I had already begun on further building," Zuma said.

"By the time I became president, the buildings were up," he said.

Referring to disunity among political parties, Zuma said he thinks all political parties agree on working for a more prosperous South Africa, the process is where they diverge.

Zuma, however, refused to answer a question about the alleged capture of state by the Indian Gupta family which alledgedly keeps close ties with Zuma.

"I do not know of any dealings of the Guptas and government. It is not my business," Zuma said.

The Gupta family has been accused of influencing Zuma on his appointment of cabinet ministers.

Before adjourning the session, Mbete promised that Parliament's rules committee will meet to ensure order. Parliament sessions had been plunged into chaos several times before, highlighting the seriouness of political fighting. Enditem