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Monaco - South African golfing great Gary Player has labelled last week's 'parliament punch-up' a "tragedy".
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President Jacob Zuma's state of the nation (SONA) address was halted when members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were forcefully removed from parliament in Cape Town in one of the more violent scenes to have rocked South African politics in recent memory.
Player, now 81, is in Monaco ahead of the 18th Laureus World Sports Awards and he was not pleased by what he saw unfold.
"I never thought I'd live to see something like that," he said.
"Even if we don't agree with a political system, we still have to have respect and manners. I just think it's a tragedy.
"Everyone all over the world is shocked. They can't believe that your President can be stopped from speaking for more than an hour.
"It's typical of what's happening in the world. There is no law and order in South Africa so why should there be law and order in parliament?"
Turning his attention to America, Player was far more impressed by what he's seeing from their political leaders.
Player revealed that he had received a recent phone call from US President Donald Trump and that the pair shared a good relationship.
"He's trying to bring back the disciplines that America used to have. I'm very impressed. We'll see ... time will tell," Player said.
"America is a land of division now. It used to be 'united we stand' but a lot of the press are separating the people.
"Give the man a chance. We'll know if he's a good President in time. Don't condemn him before. He's only just started."
