The attackers were supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), rival party of the African National Congress (ANC).[1][6] At the time, the South African government and several other political groups were negotiating in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) talks. Shortly after the massacre, it was claimed by members of the African National Congress that the South African police force in cooperation with the IFP had organised the raid, and the ANC consequently stepped out of the negotiations.[7] It was also suggested[by whom?] that the raid formed part of the activities of the South African Defence Force's Operation Marion.