Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 24, 1990 TAG: 9007240004
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA LENGTH: Medium
The violence erupted Sunday night 30 miles south of Johannesburg in the townships of Sebokeng and Evaton following a rally by Inkatha, a conservative Zulu political party.
Police reported 18 deaths in Sebokeng from running battles between Inkatha members and supporters of the rival African National Congress, the country's largest black opposition group.
Police said they fired tear gas and tried to separate the factions. A policeman hit by a spear was among those killed.
Three people were killed in nearby Evaton. The attacks were believed related to the violence in Sebokeng.
Police said no one has been arrested, but a special investigation was under way.
Neil Coleman, spokesman for the ANC-affiliated Congress of South African Trade Unions, said police escorted Inkatha supporters out of the stadium and allowed them to carry weapons.
Inkatha leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said neighborhood youths stoned buses carrying Inkatha members to and from the rally. Inkatha members had to carry weapons because ANC guerrilla leaders had declared them to be targets, he said.
More than 4,000 blacks have died in fighting between ANC supporters and Inkatha in the eastern province of Natal since 1986. Sunday's violence marked the most serious ANC-Inkatha battle that has spilled outside Natal and into the greater Johannesburg area.
Both Inkatha and the ANC oppose apartheid, but differ over tactics and have many youthful supporters they cannot control.
by CNB