An Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament (MP) was booted from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday for comparing President Jacob Zuma to a giant wave.

“Today we are listening to a man whose view of democracy is as twisted and dangerous as a tsunami telling us about what ought to be done to ensure democracy benefits all South Africans,” Vusiwana Mtileni said as he responded to Zuma’s annual address to the NCOP.

African National Congress (ANC) MPs jumped to the President’s defence, and asked that Mtileni’s comments be ruled out of order.

NCOP chairperson Thandi Modise agreed, saying: “In this particular instance you are deliberately inpugning on a member of this Parliament.”

Zuma ceased to be a member of Parliament after MPs voted him into his position during a National Assembly sitting in May last year.

Mtileni’s objections, and insistence that he be allowed to debate was dismissed as Modise demanded he withdraw his remarks.

He refused to leave the podium resulting in Modise calling in parliamentary security to remove him.

“The member is refusing to withdraw from the House. I will ask for the security to remove this member from the House.”

Mtileni offered little resistance and was escorted out of the chamber.