The African National Congress's (ANC's) National Disciplinary Committee expelled 55 Eastern Cape councillors on Monday.

"This has upheld the decision by the ANC leadership in the Eastern Cape, said provincial secretary Pemmy Majodian.

"The councillors who are from several municipalities will not be allowed to join the ANC for the next seven years."

She said that 54 of the councillors were suspected to be working for the Congress of the People (Cope), and using State resources just before the elections in April this year.

"They went as far as going into communities promising them free paraffin if they came to a certain venue. When the people arrived, they would hand them Cope pamphlets and tell them the only way they would receive the paraffin was if they voted for Cope.

"This has been their trend in activities."

Only one of the councillors was expelled because of the way he "conducted himself in his duties", Majodian said.

He too would not be able to join the ANC for seven years.

She said the 55 were split into four groups. Two groups were found guilty in May, and the other two groups in June.

The councillors were from Amahlathi, Mbhashe, and Ngqushwa and Butterworth.

It was reported that the expelled councillors said they would seek legal advice, and that the expulsions had opened vacancies in the municipalities.