Opposition heckle S Africa’s Ramaphosa in parliament for 2nd day

Opposition legislators are demanding that Ramaphosa step down as president pending investigations into the Phala Phala scandal.

Julius Malema, the firebrand chief of South Africa's Financial Freedom Fighters (EFF) appears on earlier than addressing his supporters throughout his marketing campaign, forward of the August 3 native authorities elections, in Etwatwa, a township close to Benoni, South Africa, July 27, 2016 [File: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters]

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s makes an attempt to talk in Parliament have been disrupted for a second day as opposition legislators confronted him over allegations he tried to cowl up the theft of money from his sport farm, Phala Phala.

Legislators from the populist Financial Freedom Fighters (EFF), the second largest opposition get together, have been eliminated by safety guards as they shouted that Ramaphosa shouldn't be allowed to handle the home.

They accused Ramaphosa of laundering cash at his sport farm and making an attempt to cover it by not reporting the theft of $4m at Phala Phala to the police.

The get together can also be demanding that Ramaphosa step down as president pending investigations into the theft.

“The president of the republic, there are critical allegations towards him, so he can’t come to the home to handle us,” protested EFF legislator Omphile Maotwe, interrupting Ramaphosa’s makes an attempt to talk. “He should step apart and permit the legislation to take its course.”

Parliamentary proceedings descended into chaos for the second day operating prompting the Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to order the removing of a number of legislators.

Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing, saying his farm bought the cash from promoting animals and that he had reported the theft to his presidential safety unit.

On Friday, he instructed legislators that the theft was beneath investigation and that “the legislation should be capable to take its course”.

“I've listened very rigorously to the views of members of this home who've raised ideas, strategies and proposals on this matter,” stated Ramaphosa. “A number of the views have been to counsel me, and but others have been laced with insults. I cannot reply to insults, however will say that the counsel and strategies which were made elevate factors that I'll take into account.”

The scandal comes as Ramaphosa faces challenges from rivals inside his get together, the ruling African Nationwide Congress, forward of his bid to be re-elected the get together’s president at its nationwide convention in December.

In 2018, he changed predecessor Jacob Zuma who resigned amidst strain over allegations of misappropriation of funds and being influenced by the controversial Gupta brothers – who have been arrested earlier this week in Dubai.