The DA left the National Assembly at the opening of parliament on Thursday after presiding officers failed to explain whether police were used to remove EFF MPs.
DA Parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane threatened to leave if the question of whether police were used to remove EFF MPs was not answered.
National Council of Provinces chairwoman Thandi Modise said he was welcome to leave but he was not being told to.
"We did not tell you to leave this chamber, if you want to take that decision take it on your own."
She explained that the parliamentary protection services were called and the security forces working with them.
"Yes it isn't conventional, but it's not conventional for the joint house to be turned into a question session," Modise said.
"Can we proceed please?"
She said she could not pick out who were police officers and who were not in the group who removed the MPs.
All DA members stood up and left the House.
Parliament disruption 'disgusting': Buthelezi
Founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party Mangosuthu Buthelezi said that the disruptions in Parliament on Thursday were "disgusting" and "utter nonsense".
"I think what we have seen today is disgusting. I think our country is really torn to pieces and I think the struggle didn't take place for people to play the fool," he said after President Jacob Zuma's state-of-the-nation-address was interrupted by Economic Freedom Fighters MPs.
"[This is] not what the majority of people in this house want to see. If the Constitution allows us to vote, why can't we put this to vote?"
SONA disruption against constitution: Pandor
"The disruption we saw was a direct violation of the Constitution," she said.
Speaking to other MP's she said: "I thought you knew the rules very well and I suggest you read rule seven of the joint rules."
Economic Freedom Fighter MPs disrupted Zuma and asked when he would pay back the money in terms of what the public protector found on his private residence in Nkandla.
EFF leader Julius Malema, deputy president Floyd Shivambu and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was also asked to leave the house.
At around 7.42pm, Malema, hat in hand, left Parliament.
DA leaves the house during SONA
The DA left the National Assembly at the opening of parliament on Thursday after presiding officers failed to explain whether police were used to remove EFF MPs.
DA Parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane threatened to leave if the question of whether police were used to remove EFF MPs was not answered.
National Council of Provinces chairwoman Thandi Modise said he was welcome to leave but he was not being told to.
"We did not tell you to leave this chamber, if you want to take that decision take it on your own."
She explained that the parliamentary protection services were called and the security forces working with them.
"Yes it isn't conventional, but it's not conventional for the joint house to be turned into a question session," Modise said.
"Can we proceed please?"
She said she could not pick out who were police officers and who were not in the group who removed the MPs.
All DA members stood up and left the House.
Parliament disruption 'disgusting': Buthelezi
Founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party Mangosuthu Buthelezi said that the disruptions in Parliament on Thursday were "disgusting" and "utter nonsense".
"I think what we have seen today is disgusting. I think our country is really torn to pieces and I think the struggle didn't take place for people to play the fool," he said after President Jacob Zuma's state-of-the-nation-address was interrupted by Economic Freedom Fighters MPs.
"[This is] not what the majority of people in this house want to see. If the Constitution allows us to vote, why can't we put this to vote?"
SONA disruption against constitution: Pandor
"The disruption we saw was a direct violation of the Constitution," she said.
Speaking to other MP's she said: "I thought you knew the rules very well and I suggest you read rule seven of the joint rules."
Economic Freedom Fighter MPs disrupted Zuma and asked when he would pay back the money in terms of what the public protector found on his private residence in Nkandla.
EFF leader Julius Malema, deputy president Floyd Shivambu and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was also asked to leave the house.
At around 7.42pm, Malema, hat in hand, left Parliament.
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