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SA police fire stun grenades at protestors outside Parliament

Xinhua, February 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Police on Thursday fired stun grenades at protestors gathering outside Parliament where President Jacob Zuma was going to deliver his State of Union Address (SONA).

Explosion of several stun grenades were heard as police tried to disperse protestors who clashed with Zuma supporters.

There was no immediate report of casualties.

The scene outside Parliament was chaotic as protestors defied police orders to move away, singing and shouting "Zuma must fall".

Thousands of protestors confronted Zuma supporters, prompting police to intervene. One protestor said he was attacked by Zuma supporters using bricks and planks.

Scuffles between protestors and police were also reported.

The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has threatened to disrupt Parliament if Zuma fails to explain in his SONA why he fired Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene late last year, a move that caused market turmoil.

The clashes took place as MPs and dignitaries arrived amid tight security, with a helicopter hovering overhead. For the first time, all people, including MPs, are having their bags checked by security.

A police officer, who refused to be named, said police anticipated the worst scenario to happed during Zuma's SONA.

"We're fully prepared for that," he said.

The protest outside Parliament is part of the nationwide "Zuma Must Fall" movement, which was gaining momentum after Nene was fired. Similar protests were also taking place in Johannesburg, Durban, port Elizabeth and Pretoria.

"We are more convinced that this is the campaign to support, whereas before there was that grey area to say is this a white capitalist movement,"said Neziwe Manaka, spokesperson of the campaign.

Manaka said they could not wait until 2019 for Zuma to move out of power. Zuma's current term lasts until 2019.

Zuma supporters said Zuma is the country's president and must be respected.

"People must recognize that Zuma is not only the African National Congress (ANC) leader, but also the country's president and must be given due respect," said Sulyman Stellenboom, spokesperson of the Ses'khona People's Rights Movement.

Zuma supporters would remain on the streets until they are satisfied that the president has delivered his SONA without interruptions, Stellenboom said. Enditem