Mbete acted correctly in forceful ejection of EFF from Parliament says ANC

The ANC on Friday gave its approval to Speaker Baleka Mbete's forceful ejection of the EFF from the National Assembly and called for Parliament to punish the left-wing party's MPs.

"We have no doubt that both the Speaker and the chairperson acted appropriately and within the rules and the law governing the business of Parliament," African National Congress deputy chief whip Doris Dlakude told reporters.

"We are confident that Parliament will take swift and appropriate action against the EFF MPs responsible for the planned disruptions."

Late last year, 11 Economic Freedom Fighters MPs were suspended from Parliament for between fortnight and a month on charges arising from their heckling of President Jacob Zuma in August.

On Thursday night, Mbete called the police into the Chamber to remove EFF leader Julius Malema and his colleagues after he defied instructions to leave.

He had interrupted Zuma's state-of-the-nation address to demand again that the president answer questions about the Nkandla controversy.

Dlakude termed the EFF's conduct "the most provocative, damaging and lowest form of politicking".

Malema told a media briefing on Friday that EFF MPs were "assaulted".

The Democratic Alliance, which walked out in protest at the police presence in the House, said Mbete should be held to account for calling in the security forces.