Opposition parties walked out of a Mangaung council meeting on Thursday in protest against an African National Congress bid to appoint an acting speaker.
Democratic Alliance caucus leader Fief van der Merwe said all opposition members distanced themselves from the "unlawful" meeting.
"In so doing, (the parties) in solidarity, reject the continued onslaught of the ANC against the laws of the country and the standing rules and orders of the Mangaung local municipal council," the parties said in a joint statement.
The opposition parties are the DA, Freedom Front Plus, African Christian Democratic Party, African People's Convention and Dikwaukwetla.
Van der Merwe said the standing rules clearly stated a member of the mayoral committee could not be elected Speaker or acting speaker.
The ANC sought to appoint mayoral committee member Maureen Scheepers as acting speaker.
"This is yet another example of the disregard of the ANC for the laws of the country," said Van der Merwe.
Internal ANC leadership battles in the Mangaung municipal council have for the past several months led to several council meetings being postponed.
Executive mayor Gertrude Mothupi and Speaker Mahlomola Ralebese were earlier suspended by the provincial ANC leadership.
This came after municipal manager Thabo Manyoni, deputy-chairperson of the ANC in the Free State, was suspended.
Mothupi and Ralebese have reportedly been asked to take extended leave, pending a decision by the national ANC on their future.
The council has since appointed Eva Moilwa as acting executive mayor.
Thursday's walkout was the second time the ANC's attempts to appoint Scheepers was stopped.
Mangaung municipal spokesperson Qondile Khedama said Thursday's meeting was postponed on a "technicality". - Sapa