KwaZulu-Natal MEC for safety and security Bheki Cele accused the IFP leadership of "ploughing seeds of hatred" and asked a Durban high court judge to tell them to stop, the Mercury newspaper reported on Monday.

In an unusual application, which came before Judge Herbert Msimang on Friday, Cele said he wanted a court order interdicting the party and its leaders from telling lies about him.

He wanted a public retraction of statements by Inkatha Freedom Party officials that he had wielded a gun and provoked police to shoot IFP supporters in Nongoma earlier this month.

Those cited as respondents in the urgent application were IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, IFP national organiser Albert Mnwango and MP Velaphi Ndlovu.

In papers before court, Cele gave his version of involvement in events at Nongoma on February 1, when the IFP and African National Congress held competing rallies.

He said he did not do anything besides keep peace and liaise with opposition leaders when armed supporters blocked roads and threatened bus passengers.

Cele said he had written to the IFP complaining about the defamatory and untrue statements, and had received a letter from the party's lawyers saying they were investigating.

IFP advocate Peter Rowan accused Cele of rushing to court prematurely and said that papers had not been served properly on the respondents -- a fact conceded by Cele's advocate Bethuel Khuzwayo.

The judge adjourned the matter until March 9 for papers to be served, and to give the IFP a chance to respond.