Persistent violence added to the tension during the negotiations . This was due mostly to the intense rivalry between the Inkatha Freedom Party ( IFP ) and the ANC and the eruption of some traditional tribal and local rivalries between the Zulu and Xhosa historical tribal affinities , especially in the Southern Natal provinces . Although Mandela and Buthelezi met to settle their differences , they could not stem the violence . One of the worst cases of ANC-IFP violence was the Boipatong massacre of 17 June 1992 , when 200 IFP militants attacked the Gauteng township of Boipatong , killing 45 . Witnesses said that the men had arrived in police vehicles , supporting claims that elements within the police and army contributed to the ongoing violence . Subsequent judicial inquiries found the evidence of the witnesses to be unreliable or discredited , and that there was no evidence of National Party or police involvement in the massacre . When de Klerk visited the scene of the incident he was initially warmly welcomed , but he was suddenly confronted by a crowd of protesters brandishing stones and placards . The motorcade sped from the scene as police tried to hold back the crowd . Shots were fired by the police , and the PAC stated that three of its supporters had been gunned down . Nonetheless , the Boipatong massacre offered the ANC a pretext to engage in brinkmanship . Mandela argued that de Klerk , as head of state , was responsible for bringing an end to the bloodshed . He also accused the South African police of inciting the ANC-IFP violence . This formed the basis for ANC 's withdrawal from the negotiations , and the CODESA forum broke down completely at this stage
Boipatong massacre
Boipatong massacre
Apartheid