The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Wednesday tried to prevent South African Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba from delivering his maiden medium term budget policy statement, calling him a “criminal” and a “Gupta boy”.

EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was the first to jump up, exclaiming: “We can’t allow Mr. Gigaba to address Parliament because he’s the sole reason we have a State of capture in South Africa.”

Ndlozi alleged Gigaba was complicit in helping the politically connected Gupta family to land lucrative deals with the State.

“Parliament can’t be seen to legitimate what is essentially a Gupta stooge,” said Ndlozi.

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete tried to boot Ndlozi and his fellow EFF MPs, but was warned that she had to follow processes, including asking Ndlozi to withdraw his comments.

MPs are not allowed to impugn the integrity of fellow National Assembly members. Such allegations could only be made through submitting a substantive motion in Parliament.