Despite their violent removal from the National Assembly in 2022, 10 Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members accused of disrupting President Cyril Ramaphosa's parliamentary budget vote speech claim they are innocent.

On Monday, the Powers and Privileges Committee started its disciplinary process against the group for disrupting the House on 9 and 10 June 2022 when Ramaphosa delivered the Presidency's budget vote speech.

The group faces charges of contempt of Parliament, among others.

Proceedings moved swiftly and video footage of the violent disruptions were played to the affected MPs and other committee members.

Hair pulling, tussles and screaming characterised the violent removal of the EFF MPs who, on the day, were hellbent on preventing Ramaphosa from addressing the National Assembly over the Phala Phala scandal.

The 10 EFF MPs are Anthony Matumba, Tseko Isaac Mafanya, Babalwa Mathulelwa, Paulnita Marais, Naledi Chirwa, Sinawo Tambo, Mothusi Kenneth Montwedi, Yoliswa Yako, Constance Nonhlanhla Mkhonto, and Natasha Ntlangwini.

"I plead not guilty to these concocted charges by the ANC government. I do not wish to make an explanation now as this point and reserve my right to do it at a later stage," Ntlangwini said.

Several other EFF MPs took the same route by pleading not guilty and opting not to provide any reasons for their decision.

Over these two days of 9 and 10 June 2022, the National Assembly convened for the Presidency budget vote, delivered by Ramaphosa, but was subjected to repeated points of orders by the EFF MPs who later clashed with security officials.

The sittings descended into chaos when several EFF MPs were violently removed from the chamber, preventing Ramaphosa from proceeding with his speech for hours.

On 10 June 2022, during Ramaphosa's reply to the speech, matters worsened when female EFF MPs fought with female security officials.

At the same time, their male counterparts threw punches and resisted being ejected.

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula ordered the removal of the EFF MPs following their disruptive conduct and repeatedly raising points of orders over Ramaphosa's presence in the National Assembly.

Allegations that female EFF MPs were touched on their private parts as they were removed from the parliamentary chamber and the assault of Parliamentary Protection Services (PPS) were also of concern at the time.

However, in August last year independent investigator advocate Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere, who probed allegations from EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu and counter-allegations from PPS personnel, found there was no evidence of gender-based violence or sexual harassment during the removal of EFF members from Parliament.

Meanwhile, advocate Mfesane Ka-Siboto, for the EFF, again pointed to the unfairness of the committee and alluded to the fact Mapisa-Nqakula should be present herself to testify.

But the initiator in the matter, advocate Tanya Golden, said Mapisa-Nqakula's testimony had been dealt with in court.

Golden called Secretary to the National Assembly Masibulelo Xaso to the witness stand.

For most of the day, Xaso confirmed to the committee who the affected MPs were and what had transpired as video footage was being presented.

The matter continues on Tuesday.