The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal may call for army intervention as it trades accusations of violence with its political rival, the IFP, The Mercury newspaper has reported.

"We want to prevent further loss of lives, and one of the things we want if this [violence] continues is the deployment of the army to hotspot areas. There should be a shield to protect innocent people," the African National Congress provincial secretary, Senzo Mchunu, told reporters in Durban.

Mchunu accused Inkatha Freedom Party members of assaulting ANC members and damaging their properties.

He said ANC member Dumisani Mshibe received serious head injuries in an attack at eNhlalakahle township, Greytown, by people carrying pangas, spears, knobkerries and guns.

In a separate incident at Indaka, near Ladysmith, the Sahlumbe High School had to abandon lessons because of disruptions by unknown persons.

The ANC, at the media briefing, showed slides which it described as evidence of "IFP brutality, savagery and barbarity".

But the IFP's national organiser, Albert Mncwango, accused ANC supporters of attacking and provoking IFP members.

"In Greytown, IFP supporters only responded after being attacked. We challenge the ANC to show the full footage of what happened," Mncwango told The Mercury.

Sapa

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