The Karoo town of Beaufort West has dumped its controversial mayor, Truman Prince, after he was accused him of "hooliganism". Or maybe it hasn't.

Criss-crossing the country's oldest municipality, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on Sunday went on a charm offensive to galvanise support in what was expected to be a tight municipal election in Beaufort West. She visited three wards -- Hospitaal Heuwel, Nieuveld Park and Prince Valley -- before addressing a rally in Mandlenkosi.

Beaufort West police confirmed on Sunday that they are investigating charges of assault and crimen injuria against the town's former mayor Truman Prince. Prince, a former mayor and former municipal manager, is alleged to have attacked two African National Congress canvassers, Charles Mcleod and Riaan van West.

Five brothers who were struggling to keep their dry, dusty sheep farm going became millionaires overnight after uranium was discovered on their land and they were paid R20-million for the mining rights. Just a few months ago the five Ngondo brothers were hard put to meet the mortgage payments after drought claimed 100 of their sheep.