The expulsion of five former ANC councillors in the Western Cape municipality of Drakenstein was upheld on Monday.

This ruling was made by the party's national disciplinary committee of appeal, the African National Congress in the Western Cape said.

The five have been accused of siding with the Democratic Alliance, the Independent Democrats and the Freedom Front Plus in a motion of no confidence in the ANC-led council.

They are Dan Kotze, Claude Julies, Spasie Kika, Frans Koopman and Van den Berg Pienaar.

By-elections would now have to be held to fill their vacant seats, the ANC said.