South African lawmakers chant "pay back the money" at Zuma

South African President Jacob Zuma delivers his State of the Nation address at Parliament in Cape Town, June 17, 2014. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham/Pool

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's national assembly was brought to a halt on Thursday as far-left lawmakers noisily chanted "pay back the money" at President Jacob Zuma, after $23 million in public funds was spent on his home.

Zuma was responding to questions in the usually calm parliament about the controversial security upgrade to his residence in Nkandla, which came under heavy criticism in a report by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela in March.