The mayor of the Okhahlamba Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, Vikizitha Mlotshwa, alleged he was made aware of criminal allegations against Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Michael Buthelezi as far back as October.

Buthelezi, 46, was arrested on Monday in Ladysmith for the murder of his wife and three children who were killed in a fire that engulfed their Bergville home.

Mlotshwa said a delegation visited Buthelezi, who sustained burn wounds in the blaze, in hospital after his family died and expressed their sympathies.

He added:

There was already widespread talk that he may have had something to do with his family's demise, but unfortunately there was not much we could do as we did not have evidence.

On Tuesday, Buthelezi appeared in the Bergville Magistrate's Court facing four counts of murder, one count of arson, one count of malicious injury to property and two counts of defeating the administration of justice.

It was initially reported that the fatal fire was started by a petrol bomb that was thrown into Buthelezi's home by an unknown suspect in the early hours of Sunday, 29 October.

At the time, the blaze was described by the DA's KwaZulu-Natal leader, Francois Rodgers, as a deliberate attack.

He said the party would write to provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to probe the incident.

Mlotshwa added the allegations against Buthelezi warranted his removal from the council.

"We plan to write to his political party, the Democratic Alliance, and make a request that he must be recalled from his position.

"We will also investigate how we can free him from council duties in light of the serious allegations against him," he said.

The DA has referred the matter to the party's Federal Legal Commission to decide on whether there is enough evidence to suspend or terminate Buthelezi's membership.

Speaking to News24, Rodgers expressed shock and called on the police not to give any special treatment to Buthelezi.

"The law must take its course. When it happened, I called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to speedily investigate the matter to bring whoever the perpetrator is to book.

"If it happens to be a member of the DA that is found guilty then there should be no special treatment," he said.

Rodgers added that the DA would provide the police with all the information they needed to ensure there was justice.

Buthelezi is expected to return to court on Thursday after the case was adjourned for him to secure legal representation.