ANC leaders were behind a bid to destroy the IFP through propaganda and money, says the IFP president.

"The ruling party is still intent on removing this stumbling block, the IFP," said Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) president, Mangosuthu Buthelezi during his party's election campaign launch in Lindelani outside Durban on Saturday.

Electoral fraud and irregularities aimed at swaying the balance of power further towards the African National Congress (ANC) had occurred in every election since 1994, he said.

"We have engaged the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on these matters, and exposed how the ANC busses people into areas in which they do not live to register and vote for the ANC," Buthelezi said.

The bussing of people into areas in which they did not leave had resulted in IFP strongholds appear to receive increasing ANC support.

"This is not the lament of a declining party. It is a statement of fact. Let us not forget that in 2009 more people voted in Durban than were even registered in the first place," Buthelezi said.

The IFP was not alone in complaining about irregularities, he said.

"They have been confirmed by the Democratic Alliance and by the Minority Party. The ANC has crippled smaller parties in the past, and it intends to cripple the IFP," he said.

Some 400 people from Umlazi Township had been bussed into Umhlanga, given false addresses and assisted to register for the elections.

"When questioned some admitted to being offered bribes and job offers," he said.

The IFP election manifesto unveiled on Saturday promised to give more power to communities who put councillors in power.

"This election is about you. You have the power to bring about change in your life, the lives of your family, friends and neighbours," the manifesto reads.

Buthelezi said his party would encourage accountability, urging the public to inform the party if they were not happy with the councillors.

Speaking during the launch, IFP Women's Brigade national chairwoman, Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa said it was not correct that former IFP national chairwoman left the party because of the lack of democracy in the IFP.

"She [Zanele Magwaza-Msibi] left IFP because she was power hungry. It is not true that she left because there is no democracy in the IFP," Madlopha-Mthethwa said.

Magwaza-Msibi left the IFP early this year to form breakaway party, the National Freedom Party (NFP), following fierce lobbying for the IFP's top post which caused serious ructions and the postponement of the elective conference.

The IFP is expected to face a tough challenge during the elections not only from its breakaway party, but also from the ANC. The ANC, which performed badly during the first local government elections in 1996, was now almost "neck and neck" with the IFP in KwaZulu-Natal.

The IFP controlled 32 municipalities while the ANC ran 29. Local government elections take place on May 18.

The ruling party had gained some municipalities through the controversial floor-crossing which allowed councillors to jump ship without losing theirseats.

The floor-crossing legislation had since been abolished.

The IFP was also facing the challenge of growing ANC support in KwaZulu-Natal since 1994.

The IFP lost the province to the ANC in 2004 after governing it for two terms.

It was also announced during the ANC national general council last year that the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal registered the biggest membership growth in the country between 2007 and 2010.

The NFP also claims to have stolen thousands of IFP members to its fold. Magwaza-Msibi recently said her party had already welcomed nearly 200 councillors from the IFP.