CAPE TOWN – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs accused of being disruptive and calling President Cyril Ramaphosa a “criminal” have dismissed the accusations.
This is as the Powers and Privileges Committee in Parliament began another disciplinary hearing into EFF MPs on Monday.
READ: Parliament starts disciplinary hearing against EFF MPs who disrupted Ramaphosa
The eight MPs in question have pleaded not guilty to disruptive behaviour and failing to obey the Speaker’s orders during a Presidency budget vote in 2022.
The EFF was back before another disciplinary hearing on Monday for disrupting the president in June 2022.
The MPs, including Natasha Ntlangwini and spokesperson Sinawo Thambo, are accused of failing to obey rulings and physically handling protection officers.
Ntlangwini and the rest pleaded not guilty.
“Chair, I plead not guilty to these concocted charges by the ANC government.”
EFF advocate, Mfesane Ka-Siboto, called for a postponement and the evidence baseless.
“There must be an independent fact-finding inquiry before you charge members. We need someone to decide on the facts. What we’ll deal with here is evidence that is baseless.”
The committee has decided to move ahead and invited its first witness, National Assembly Secretary Masibulele Xaso to give evidence.