South African President Jacob Zuma faces a showdown with radical lawmakers who are threatening to disrupt his nationally-televised state of the nation address in parliament tomorrow.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by populist firebrand Julius Malema, have vowed to prevent Zuma from speaking until he has answered questions about the USD 24 million of taxpayers' money spent on "security upgrades" at his private residence.
The same issue triggered chaotic scenes in the assembly in August, when riot police were deployed to stifle a revolt by a group of EFF lawmakers, who drowned out Zuma, yelling: "Pay back the money".
The episode marked the most tumultuous parliamentary session since democratic elections 20 years ago ending the racist apartheid regime.
Zuma has not returned to the assembly since the uproar and EFF lawmakers -- dressed in their trademark "workers solidarity" outfits of red overalls, gumboots, hardhats and maid's uniforms -- have vowed to pick up where they left off.
When moves were made to ban their outfits from parliament, Malema threatened that they would turn up in the nude. The proposal was promptly shelved.
The EFF -- formed by renegade members of the ruling African National Congress in 2013 -- has shaken up the political landscape with its populist proposals to nationalise mines and banks and seize white-owned land without compensation.
The party's programme has found fertile ground among the poor, who feel that only government fat cats and their cronies have enjoyed the benefits of black majority rule.
Around 25 per cent of South Africans are unemployed, according to official statistics, while unofficial estimates put the figure much higher.
Efforts by church leaders to mediate and prevent a showdown at the traditionally glitzy ceremony to mark the opening of parliament appeared to have failed, with EFF whip Hlengiwe Maxon saying that Zuma would not be allowed to begin his address.
