The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has called on voters from the embattled National Freedom Party (NFP) to "return home".

The call came in the wake of reports of disgruntled NFP members protesting in the party’s heartland of Ulundi.

The NFP was disqualified by the IEC – the Electoral Commission of South Africa – from taking part in the 3 August 2016 local government elections for failing to meet registration requirements, including payment of registration fees of almost half a million rand.

The South African Police Service told the African News Agency (ANA) on Tuesday that a group of people thought to be NFP supporters blocked the road on the turn-off to Ulundi, near Melmoth.

Police said the protests started as early as 1 am Tuesday morning.

"Police were called to attend and dispersed the crowd with rubber bullets. About 28 suspects were arrested and will be charged with public violence at Babanango police station," said police spokesperson lieutenant colonel Thulani Zwane.

Two protesters were wounded and the road was clear by 10 am he said. It was unclear how the protesters were wounded.

IFP MPL Blessed Gwala told the African News Agency (ANA) on Tuesday that the party was putting out a call for NFP voters to exercise their constitutional right to vote despite the "tragedy" that had hit that party.

"We hold no grudges against NFP voters," Gwala said.

Gwala’s call echoes that of the IFP youth brigade, made on Monday evening, in which national chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said that the IFP remained the "political home" of NFP members.

"The prevailing political realities in the NFP are most unfortunate but that should not be a reason for NFP supporters to forgo their democratic right to vote," said Hlengwa.

"The IFP remains their political home, which continues to serve the people of South Africa with honesty and integrity. We carry on our shoulders the dreams and hopes of the country and to NFP members, the door is open for them to come and carry that responsibility with us."

The NFP has received a series of heavy political blows since Monday’s Electoral Court ruling that the party could not contest the August 3 municipal polls because it failed to pay the required R490 000 registration fee on time.

The whereabouts of treasurer Xolani Ndlovu, who was blamed for submitting the late registration fee, are unknown.

The NFP appeared in disarray, with top leaders having resigned or being suspended due to allegations of "political collusion".

NFP president Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi said on Monday "she was hurt and devastated" by the electoral court’s decision to dismiss their case, but called for calm among members.

Canaan Mdletshe, KaMagwaza-Msibi’s spokesperson, told ANA that the NFP was busy conducting an internal investigation to find those it believed were "colluding with other parties" to ensure the downfall of the party.

"We heard rumours a few months ago, but we did not take them seriously. It just didn’t make sense," he said.

"Then after happenings over the last few weeks, we realised there really was something going on."

While Mdletshe refused to name the alleged conspirators or the parties involved, NFP youth movement secretary general Busisiwe Tshabalala said on Monday there was evidence that the rival IFP had been "bribing members" to cause internal chaos.

That statement caused her IFP youth league counterpart Hlengiwa to hit back, calling her an "air -head" and threatening that the IFP would take legal action if Tshabalala could not substantiate her claims.

The NFP started in 2011 when KaMagwaza-Msibi was IFP chairperson, but was dismissed for her "distasteful political ambitions" amid allegations she was trying to unseat long-standing IFP president Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who turns 88 in August.