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Johannesburg - EFF and DA councillors were united in their demands during the first sitting of council in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday.
The DA and the EFF wanted each councillor to present proof of identification to presiding officer Manana Moloi before voting for the council's speaker.
The EFF was concerned that party members who were not part of council would vote.
This led to 20 minutes of debate with ANC councillors, who challenged the parties' demand. They were no longer using a dompas, they said.
Provincial electoral officer Masego Sheburi eventually ruled that there was no need to provide identification.
He said Moloi would read out the names of the councillors before they voted to ensure transparency.
Coalitions
ANC councillor and mayoral candidate Mzwandile Masina nominated ANC councillor Patricia Khumalo as council speaker.
DA mayoral candidate Ghaleb Cachalia nominated Vivian Chauke for the position. Khumalo was declared speaker after the votes were counted.
Outgoing mayor Mondli Gungubele said he was excited that an ANC speaker and mayor would be elected.
He said the ANC had formed coalitions with several smaller opposition parties.
There are 224 council seats in Ekhurhuleni. A total of 113 votes are needed for a majority. The ANC holds 109 seats, the DA 77, and the EFF 25.
For the DA and EFF to jointly unseat the ANC in Ekurhuleni, the two parties need at least 11 more votes.
