INKATHA Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi claimed on Wednesday that African National Congress leaders in violent KwaZulu-Natal province are arming supporters ahead of the general elections this year. Buthelezi said in Cape Town that the ANC has plans to assassinate IFP leaders and that a number have already come under attack in recent days. He said a security company, which he believes is partly owned by former ANC guerrilla Robert McBride, is handing arms to ANC leaders who are in turn distributing them to their supporters. Buthelezi said he has raised the matter with Deputy President Thabo Mbeki. Meanwhile, McBride is preparing to sue Buthelezi over his claims, e.tv news reported on Wednesday night.