More than 400 soldiers have been authorized by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa to join the security team at his annual state of the nation speech this week, which opponents have called “militarization".

Ceoafrica gathered that since the radical left wing Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF) won seats in parliament at 2014 elections, Zuma's speech to open parliament has been a chaotic affair with EFF lawmakers chanting and jeering at the president over corruption scandals.

At Zuma's address in 2015, parliamentary security guards disguised as waiters physically removed EFF members from the chamber, but this is the first time soldiers will be deployed as security rather than a ceremonial role.

"President Jacob Zuma has authorized the employment of members of the South African National Defence Force for service in cooperation with the South African Police Service to maintain law and order," a statement from the presidency said, late yesterday.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) said in a statement yesterday that it condemned the decision and would be asking the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete, for an explanation, adding that "This announcement is deeply concerning".

"President Zuma’s deliberate use of the words 'law and order' in his statement points to an excessive use of the army outside of their ceremonial role in the annual fanfare", DA said.