The confrontation in Umlazi involved a political rally organized by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a rival to the ruling African National Congress (ANC) amid South Africa's transition from apartheid. On this day, ANC security guards were deployed to ensure safety during the event, which had drawn a significant crowd of IFP supporters. Tensions between the two groups had been rising dramatically as the country prepared for its first multi-racial elections. Political rivalry often turned violent, resulting in ongoing skirmishes and clashes leading up to this date.

As the IFP protesters gathered, a disagreement broke out, and the ANC guards opened fire, leading to chaos in the crowd. Media reports estimate that dozens of IFP members were killed, while many others were injured. The incident drew widespread condemnation and led to increased fears of politically motivated violence ahead of the elections scheduled for April 1994. The South African government and various organizations called for calm, but the underlying animosities remained palpable among the factions involved.

The events in Umlazi served to underscore the landscape of political tensions in South Africa, characterized by the bitter rivalry between the ANC, led by figures such as Nelson Mandela, and the IFP, led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Such incidents contributed to the atmosphere of violence and intimidation that plagued the pre-election period, ultimately raising significant concerns about the future of South Africa as it entered a new democratic era. The reactions following the incident reflected a broader acknowledgment of the need for reconciliation and peace-building efforts in the face of historical conflicts and violence.