The Congress of the People (Cope) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) stormed out of the National Assembly on Tuesday after Deputy Speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo ordered an opposition Member of Parliament (MP) to withdraw a comment.

Cope MP Mluleki George on Monday made a statement about government leading the country into lawlessness.

Mfeketo ruled on Tuesday that George had to withdraw the comment. George disputed Mfeketo's interpretation of his statement and refused to withdraw it, asking for an opportunity to explain.

Mfeketo ordered him out of the House and refused further points of order on the issue from the DA and Cope.

The DA and Cope then left the House in protest.

"Even if the principle of that rule is incorrect, the member's responsibility is to take that to the rules committee," Mfeketo said.

"I cannot have a situation when I am chairing a meeting and make a ruling and have a member of this House say he or she cannot withdraw."

African National Congress chief whip Mathole Motshekga reacted with fury to the incident.

"They are trying to make Parliament unworkable," he said.