This Day in History: May 15, 1992
Additional Date: May 15, 1992
The second plenary session of the Congress for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA II) was convened in Johannesburg. Unlike the first session CODESA II ended in a deadlock as parties involved could not agree on an interim government and a constitution. The first sitting, CODESA I in March 1992 laid an important foundation for future multi party talks in South Africa, including the setting of a date to finalise outstanding issues, but was delayed for two months.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) refused to attend the CODESA II in protest against what it perceived as undermining Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini's traditional role as political leader. Less than a month later ANC President, Nelson Mandela announced that he was suspending all talks with the Government in the wake of a massacre in Boipatong on 17 June when more than 40 were killed, and scores injured. It is believed that most of them were supporters of the ANC.