Troops Guard Trains, Depots in South Africa

The government Monday posted soldiers at rail yards and stations to prevent renewed attacks on the strike-beleaguered railway system and warned transport workers that they may be dismissed starting today.

Officials of the state-run South African Transport Services said trains were running normally and that soldiers were posted in and around Johannesburg to augment police guards. They did not say how many troops were deployed.

About 60 rail cars have been set afire since workers struck March 13 to protest the dismissal of a driver charged with mishandling company cash. The driver was reinstated and his punishment reduced, but the strikers have demanded official recognition of their union.

Government officials threatened that strikers risk being fired beginning today, at the conclusion of a partial shutdown of rail services for the Easter holiday weekend. South Africa traditionally includes Monday, which is designated as Family Day, as part of the Easter holiday.