South Africa's Zuma to deploy 400 soldiers at state address

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma (Photo: Courtesy)

PRETORIA: South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has authorized more than 400 soldiers to join the security team at his annual state of the nation speech this week, drawing outrage from opponents who called it "militarization".

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.