KwaZulu-Natal tensions increase

The ANC is targeting Buthelezi's stronghold

High-level talks are reportedly to take place to try to defuse tension in KwaZulu-Natal.

Thousands of people died in clashes in the province in the 1980s and 1990s, and clashes have broken out again ahead of elections expected within months.

South Africa's ruling ANC says a delegation led by Deputy President Jacob Zuma is in Durban, though Inkatha has denied any discussions are taking place.

Its leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, has accused the ANC of trying to stop them campaigning and attacks on supporters.

The ANC is vowing to wrest control of the province from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and President Thabo Mbeki is expected to visit there shortly.

Launch disrupted

Chief Buthelezi, who is also a minister in the national government, said that the ANC had deliberately tried to interfere with the party's election campaign launch in the province, but he was continuing to urge his supporters to be peaceful.

"I've always been a man of peace despite the way my enemies have tried to portray me," he told the BBC's Network Africa.

"I've always believed that in this country, we'll only achieve our freedom through negotiations," he said.

At the weekend, a march of Inkatha supporters degenerated into violence leaving several people injured.

Fears were also expressed that political violence had broken out after the murder of nine people in a township near Durban over the weekend.

But South African police now say they have arrested four men connected with the attacks - which they say had no political motivation.