South Africa's parliament was suspended after angry Economic Freedom Fighters (EEF) stormed in and demanded for President Jacob Zuma to pay back some US$23 million he spent on his private home.

On Thursday, about 20 members of the EEF, led by former Zuma protégé Julius Malema, disrupted the assembly probing into Zuma's unauthorized spending of tax payers' money to upgrade his rural home in Nkandla.

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The group, donned in their customary "workers solidarity" garb of red overalls and hard hats, were reportedly banging on tables and chanting "pay back the money."

Despite calls for order from Speaker Baleka Mbete, the EEF persisted in their protest, which eventually caused Mbete to call for security and ordered members of parliament to leave the chamber until the situation had been dealt with.

Riot police arrived about 10 minutes later intending to forcibly evict the EEFs but had later backed down after negotiations with the protesters led to the suspension of the assembly.

It is unclear when parliament will reconvene, but the BBC said it would likely be on Friday.

Last March, Zuma's unauthorized spending practices were revealed to the public after a report released by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.

According to the report, Zuma had unduly benefited from the upgrades in his home, which included an amphitheater, cattle pen and a swimming pool. Madonsela said the President should pay back part of the cost of the excessive renovations.

Zuma responded to the inquiry, saying he had delegated the Police Minister to determine whether he needed to pay back the money.

Thursday's riot is the latest in a series of disruptions publicly staged by the EEF.

In July, EEF members protested in the regional assembly in Johannesburg after reportedly being evicted for their "workers" uniforms. Riot police armed with stun guns and rubber bullets responded and sought to control the protest.

African National Congress spokesperson Zizi Kodwa urged the EEF to tone down the violent nature of their protests.

"We warn them not to take us back to the past where we will have no option but to defend our hard-won democracy."

The EEF was established in 2013 by former African National Congress (ANC) youth leader Julius Malema after he was removed from the ANC two years ago.

The EEF currently has 25 members in parliament.

TagsJacob Zuma, Africa, EEF, Economic Freedom Fighters, Baleka Mbete, Thuli Madonsela, ANC, African National Congress, Julius Malema