Nico Basson says that SADF had supplied weapons and covert assistance to IFP in order to weaken the ANC

Speaking before journalists, a retired army major, Mr. Nico Basson, said that the South African Defence Force (SADF) had supplied weapons (such as AK-47 assault rifles) and covert assistance to Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in order to weaken the African National Congress (ANC). IFP leader Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi denied these allegations. Basson also disclosed that the South African government had secretly decided to foster ethnic conflict, especially between Xhosa and Zulu people, as they were the largest ethnic groups in South Africa. The National party leader, Roelf Meyer, called the conflict 'Black on Black violence', denying any state involvement. Basson alleged that the South African military forces had previously carried out similar activities in Namibia to discredit the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO)