Forces Bolstered in Embattled Natal
Heavily armed soldiers and police patrolled strife-torn areas of Natal province Tuesday, and reinforcements began mobilizing in an effort to halt a week of fighting that has left 55 dead, scores wounded and thousands homeless.
Witnesses said there are many army troops in the ravaged area of the Edendale Valley on the outskirts of Natal’s capital of Pietermaritzburg.
The troops were first deployed when the fighting between rival black factions erupted a week ago. Reinforcements promised by President Frederik W. de Klerk were not expected to begin arriving before today, police spokesman Maj. Piet Kitching said.
African National Congress leader Nelson R. Mandela said it is “encouraging” to see De Klerk concerned about the violence, but he lashed out at Law and Order Minister Adriaan Vlok as the worst police minister in South African history and said allegations of police taking sides in the Natal conflict are considered “very grave.”
He also criticized De Klerk for taking “unilateral” actions without consulting with local black leaders.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
