Limpopo police have launched a manhunt for suspects who burned down a councillor's car and a top municipal official's house in Tafelkop in about one week.

Elias Motsoaledi Municipal mayor Lionel Sehlwana said damage was estimated at R50000.

Sehlwana said there was a perception that the incidents were connected to cross-border disputes.

He said he was himself threatened with death by a group of people who said they wanted their area to fall into Mpumalanga and not Limpopo.

In the first incident, councillor Minah Tshoshane's car was burnt down on Wednesday last week.

Tshoshane said she was awoken by a big bang in her yard.

"When I went out to investigate, I found my car engulfed in flames."

Tshoshane said she saw a man carrying a container running away from the scene .

In the second incident on Tuesday morning, the house of the director of local economic development in the municipality was torched.

Pat Mathale said he was asleep when he smelt something burning.

He said when he left his bedroom to check, he was greeted by smoke from the other rooms.

Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba said police have arrested a man as he tried to burn down a traffic department building in the same area on Monday.

He said they suspect the man was part of the group that was responsible for the other acts of arson.