The Star reported on Tuesday that on Monday the eight councillors registered in Mahikeng, North West, for the by-elections in Potchefstroom on September 18.
The councillors' expulsions were overturned on Saturday by the ANC's national disciplinary committee.
Former ANC chief whip in Tlokwe David Kham reportedly told the newspaper on Monday night that he was one of the eight people who registered as an independent candidate.
"Yes, eight of us met the IEC [Independent Electoral Commission] deadline to register as candidates. I am done with the ANC," Kham was quoted as saying.
North West IEC electoral officer Tumi Thiba told the newspaper the candidates' names would be made public after the IEC conducted quality assurances on Tuesday on the documents provided.
ANC by-election candidates
Meanwhile, on Monday it was reported that none of the 14 councillors appeared on the ANC's list of by-election candidates.
The ANC in North West released the names of candidates who will compete with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other opposing parties for control of the Potchefstroom-based Tlokwe local municipality on September 18.
ANC North West spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi told the Mail & Guardian that the process to select by-election candidates was at an advanced stage when Luthuli House decided to overturn the expulsion of 14 councillors.
The ANC worked with communities to select new candidates, Mnisi said. "We started with community meetings where we asked them to give us names of people they want as leaders."
The provincial working committee (PWC) finalised the recommended names on Monday after it had passed through the regional elections team and the regional executive committee.
"We’ve already submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission because the closing date was 5pm this evening," Mnisi said on Monday.
The ANC in the province expected all former councillors to remain with the party despite rumours that they are working with opposition parties such as the DA and the Economic Freedom Fighters.
'I’m not coming back'
Mnisi said: "All of them attended our meeting yesterday [Sunday] and today [Monday]. They never gave any indication of wanting to go. Nobody said to us, 'I’m not coming back'."
The ANC in North West hoped the 14 reinstated party members would "conduct themselves in keeping with the ANC constitution, principles and values and that they will put the interest of the organisation above everything else".
Mnisi said the ANC considered the disciplinary measures a finalised case.
Registered candidates for the Tlokwe by-election are:
Ward 1: Macro Mothopeng
Ward 4: Reverend Jimmy Msindi
Ward 6: Jefta Monaise
Ward 11: Glenrose Maroganye
Ward 12: Duduetsang Modise
Ward 13: Thabo Melamu
Ward 18: Thapelo Skhosana
Ward 20: Dodo Maneli
Ward 26: Oupa Mogoshane
Another by-election in the province will be held in Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality in Zeerust on the same day. The ANC’s Pogiso Maetla will contest elections for Ward 2 in that municipality. – Sapa; additional reporting by Mmanaledi Mataboge