Historical Organization
Inkatha Freedom Party
Inkatha Freedom Party
Also known as: IFP
Details
Organization Timeline
Troops enter townships amid ANC-IFP violence
📅 15 August 1990The state deployed troops southeast of Johannesburg as conflict between ANC and IFP supporters intensified during the uncertain transition.
The ANC and IFP hold high-level peace talks
📅 20 September 1990Leaders met in Durban and issued a joint statement seeking ways to end violence in Natal and the Reef townships.
Mandela and Buthelezi address an ANC-IFP peace summit
📅 29 January 1991The Durban summit called for political tolerance and effective peacekeeping after severe conflict between supporters of the two movements.
The ANC demands action over Inkathagate
📅 22 July 1991After revelations of secret state funding for Inkatha, the ANC called for ministers to resign and covert counter-insurgency structures to be dismantled.
The National Peace Accord is signed
📅 14 September 1991Parties, unions, religious bodies and civic organizations agreed to codes of conduct and monitoring mechanisms intended to reduce political violence.
The Boipatong Massacre takes place
📅 17 June 1992Attackers killed more than forty residents of Boipatong. Survivors and the ANC alleged complicity or failure by state security forces.
The Shell House shooting occurs
📅 28 March 1994ANC security guards fired during an IFP march near ANC headquarters, killing marchers amid intense pre-election violence and disputed accounts.
A state of emergency is declared in Natal
📅 31 March 1994De Klerk imposed emergency rule to curb escalating violence and protect the forthcoming election.
The IFP agrees to participate in the election
📅 19 April 1994A last-minute agreement brought Inkatha onto the ballot, reducing the danger that KwaZulu-Natal would be excluded from the democratic vote.