Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa had to intervene to prevent clashes between IFP and ANC supporters in KwaZulu-Natal's Nseleni area on Sunday afternoon.

The minister helped to prevent a potentially explosive situation when a group of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) supporters tried to block African National Congress (ANC) supporters from leaving the stadium where the party rally was held.

The two parties held their rallies mere metres apart despite the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling on Saturday which granted an interdict preventing the IFP from holding a rally within five kilometres of the ANC's rally.

The ANC approached the court to prevent the IFP from holding its rally near Nseleni Stadium because there were incidents of violence when the IFP and ANC held rallies close to each other in Nongoma in January.

Captain Jay Naicker said that the IFP event was an illegal gathering, adding that the party had defied the court order. He said the police were investigating a case of illegal gathering.

However, the police had not made any arrests and had not dispersed the IFP meeting.

A tense situation

There was a heavy presence of police and soldiers in Nseleni during the rallies on Sunday which attracted more than 5000 people.

"There were no incidents of violence. We would like to thank our members and the army for their hard work. They made sure that people were separated to prevent clashes," said Naicker.

He said IFP supporters were prevented from leaving their venue until all ANC supporters had left the stadium to prevent clashes.

The ANC accused the police of failing to implement the court order.

"We are disappointed that the IFP has decided to defy the court order. We also disappointed that the police... failed to implement the order. They have it in their hands," said ANC secretary Senzo Mchunu.

But the IFP claimed it had the permission of a traditional leader to hold its rally.

"We have not defied any court order," maintained the IFP's Bhekisisa Mthethwa. We have permission from a traditional leader. We gave them (the ANC) the stadium and we came to this place. This is a meeting of local people. We have not bussed people from other areas like they have done," he said.

Mchunu said the matter would be reported to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

"We can not have a situation where our courts are defied by people who want to cause havoc. There was really no need for them continue to hold the rally here because that causes tensions," he said.

Sapa