The DA says it has uncovered a plot by the ANC to "bribe" several Western Cape DA councillors to defect.

The party would lay criminal charges against seven people for the plot, codenamed 'Project Reclaim', according to a press statement on the DA's website.

"Project Reclaim appears to be a coordinated attempt to bribe DA ward councillors to give up their seats and stand for the ANC in the by-election triggered by their resignation.

"The Project Reclaim 'hit list', marked "strictly confidential" and "not for distribution", targets 11 DA and 16 non-DA councillors in eight municipalities."

Western Cape DA leader Theuns Botha cited, among others, DA Bitou councillor Nevelle de Waal who was approached six times within a week of the 2011 election by "a number of individuals linked to the ANC".

"Nevelle de Waal was offered the equivalent of five years of a councillor's salary in cash (approx. R900 000) and 'any position' he wants if he resigns and runs on an ANC ticket in the ensuing by-election."

Breede Valley DA councillor Thobile Dyonta "was offered the equivalent of two months' salary and a position as the council's community safety officer in exchange for resigning his seat".

Bergrivier DA councillor Dirk Adams "was offered a 'higher position' in the ANC and benefits from construction tenders for projects the national government was planning to implement in Wittewater".

Saldanha DA councillors Olwene Daniels, Elize Steyn, Sucilla van Tura, and Ryan Don "were offered 'positions' in the ANC and their share of 'millions of rands' due to be 'released by the national government'."

"The results of a five-month DA investigation are contained in a dossier that we will personally be handing to the South African Police Service this afternoon as evidence to be used in a criminal investigation," the party said.

In response to the allegations, Western Cape ANC leader Marius Fransman told IOL: "The ANC will not buy over anyone. People join the ANC voluntarily, based on conviction. We are against councillors being given any sort of money – that's a non-starter from us in the Western Cape leadership."