Two Million Blacks Strike in S. Africa : Curbs on Political Dissent Protested; Auto Industry Closed

At least 2 million blacks began a three-day nationwide strike today, shutting down the auto industry, to protest government curbs on political dissent and black union groups.

It was one of South Africa’s biggest work stoppages in five years. A rail line was bombed in the black satellite city of Soweto and a train station gutted on the south coast.

The National Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers said up to 25,000 workers stopped work and closed down the seven assembly plants operating in the country.

Johannesburg Hit Hard

The independent Labor Monitoring Group said initial reports showed that more than a million workers stayed away from jobs around Johannesburg in South Africa’s industrial heartland, but the situation was unclear in other areas.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, which called the strike, estimated that up to 3 million workers stayed at home nationwide. It said its calculations were based on figures provided by mass transportation systems.

Anglo American Corp., the huge mining house, said its gold mines, including the world’s largest in Orange Free State province, reported normal production. Gold earns 45% of South Africa’s export income.

The protest has attracted wide support despite severe restrictions imposed on the organizers by a 2-year-old state of emergency.

The trade union congress and the National Council of Trade Unions, a coalition of 1.5 million black workers, called the protest against the Labor Relations Amendment Bill, which would curtail their powers.

No Casualties Reported

No casualties were reported in the few incidents that marked the start of the protest. A rail line was bombed in Soweto, which is outside Johannesburg and is the country’s largest township, and a train station was gutted by arsonists at Umgababa on the south coast.

Reports from employers’ groups said the Johannesburg region was hardest hit by the strike, with up to 90% of the factory and shop work force staying away.

Johannesburg, the country’s largest city whose streets are normally crowded with black employees, was largely shunned by workers living in satellite townships.

Large army contingents patrolled townships and kept watch on train, bus and taxi stations to thwart intimidation of people trying to commute to jobs.

“We will protect anybody wishing to go to work and step in if there is any sign of intimidation,” a police spokesman said.

In townships around Johannesburg, police in trucks shuttled through largely deserted streets offering rides to workers unable to reach the city because of the absence of many bus drivers.