Opposition Members of parliaments (MPs) clashed at the much anticipated state of nation address by South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, whom they denounced as a "scoundrel" and "rotten to the core" because of corruption allegations.

According to Ceoafrica, the MPs also clashed with guards who dragged them out of the chamber, when they tried to stop the president from addressing the chamber, repeatedly insulting him and declaring him unfit for office.

It was learnt that in the surrounding streets of Cape Town, police and hundreds of military forces patrolled to guard against protesters who want Zuma, 74, to quit.

Security teams eventually were called into the chamber to remove red-clad members of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters, some of whom threw punches and beat guards with plastic helmets.

Politicians from the Democratic Alliance, the country's biggest opposition group, then walked out in protest, which members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party heckled at, as they left.

"Finally," said Zuma, as he started an annual address on the economy and other national matters.