Fearing an erosion of his power , Buthelezi collaborated with the South African Defence Force and received military training for Zulu militia from SADF special forces starting in the 1980s as part of Operation Marion . Inkatha members were involved in several massacres in the run-up to South Africa 's first democratic elections , including the Trust Feed massacre on December 3 , 1988 and the Boipatong massacre on June 17 , 1992 . During the phase of establishing a constitution for South Africa and prior to the first free elections in South African history , bloodshed frequently occurred between Inkatha and the ANC . Both Inkatha and ANC attempted to campaign in each other 's KwaZulu-Natal strongholds , and were met with resistance , sometimes violent , by members of the opposing party . Inkatha was also initially opposed to parts of the proposed South African constitution regarding the internal politics of KwaZulu , and , in particular , they campaigned for an autonomous and sovereign Zulu king , ( King Goodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu ) , as head of state . As a result , Inkatha abstained from registering its party for the 1994 election ( a necessity in order to receive votes ) , in opposition . However , once it became obvious that its efforts were not going to stop the election ( Inkatha desired goal ) , the party was registered as the Inkatha Freedom Party at the eleventh hour . However , due to their opposition to the constitution , concessions were made and KwaZulu-Natal ( and thus all the other provinces ) were granted double ballots for provincial and national legislatures , greater provincial powers , the inclusion of ' KwaZulu ' in the official name of the province ( formerly ' Natal ' ) and recognition of specific ethnic and tribal groups within the province
Boipatong massacre
Boipatong massacre
Inkatha Freedom Party