Newly-appointed national police chief Bheki Cele is to take on the IFP in a war of words between the two in the High Court in Durban in August.

Cele accused the Inkatha Freedom Party leadership of planting "seeds of hatred" after the opposition party claimed the former KwaZulu-Natal safety MEC was seen carrying a firearm at an election rally in Nongoma.

The party also accused Cele of provoking police to shoot at IFP members.

Cele later filed an application interdicting the party from allegedly telling lies about him. He also wanted a public retraction of statements it had made.

Respondents in the application include IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, party MP Velaphi Ndlovu and IFP national organiser Albert Mncwango.

"The case is still going ahead and everything has been filed so far," IFP lawyer Lawrence de Klerk said on Wednesday.

"The next appearance, on 21 August is just for arguments," he said.

The case stems from a violent election rally in northern KwaZulu-Natal that saw clashes between the ANC and IFP.

In court papers, Cele said when armed supporters blocked roads and threatened bus passengers, he kept the peace and spoke to opposition leaders.