Defence Minister: There was a problem in Parliament

"Whatever it is which we do or which the police do will always be informed by a threat assessment. For once you should agree with us that there was, in fact, a problem," says Mapisa-Nqakula.

Opposition parties were outraged by the deployment of 441 troops by President Jacob Zuma.

On his part, ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe believes Baleka Mbete was too patient with the opposition inside the house ahead of the president's address. 

"If I was the Speaker, I would not have allowed that debate to go on for an hour. I would have finished it in 10 minutes," says Mantashe.

While the choas was playing out inside parliament, protests outside turned violent.  

Provincial EFF members also called on the president to leave, while members of student body Cosas defended Zuma's leadership. 

Stun grenades were used as protestors forged ahead, ever closer to the parliamentary precinct.

The EFF was adamant that President Zuma could not be allowed to deliver another State of the Nation Address.