One in 10 candidates for the municipal poll could be disqualified, senior electoral officials have told The Star newspaper.
The paper reported on Wednesday that no high-profile names were among those facing the chop.
When the initial submissions were made, there were 45 000 candidates according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
”That was subject to ratification by our offices,” said senior IEC manager Michael Hendrickse.
He declined to confirm that an estimated 4 000 candidates could be disqualified, saying the IEC would announce the exact figure in Pretoria on Wednesday.
The ruling African National Congress, it appeared, would only an announce the names of mayoral candidates after the election.
The newspaper said three independent sources said the party was likely to take this route as a way of containing infighting.
They said the move was precipitated by dissatisfaction among ordinary members about what was perceived as candidates imposed by the national party leadership.
Hendrickse said the Municipal Structures Act allowed parties to reconfigure their lists after the elections results were released. – Sapa