S. Africa Police Move In to Halt Riots; 33 Dead

The government of South Africa sent in heavily armed police and soldiers Thursday to restore order in the southeastern city of Port Elizabeth, where three days of rioting in mixed-race suburbs has killed at least 33 people.

The rioting broke out Monday after police used tear gas to break up a protest over rent rises. Residents said it was fueled by resentment among African National Congress supporters against mixed-race politicians who take part in the racially based Parliament and are seen as collaborators with apartheid.

Law and Order Minister Adriaan Vlok said many more people had been injured in the city, but he gave no figures. Police said 33 people had died since Monday, with more than 100 people arrested.

“We are still trying to determine how many may have died as a result of police action,” said police spokesman Bill Dennis.

He said the nature of the rioting changed Wednesday night when hundreds of rioters stormed through the port city and surrounding townships, looting and attacking bystanders. A church, 32 shops, six houses, two factories and three schools were destroyed.

“Criminal mobs ran amok . . . looting and burning shops at random and causing damage. . . . A baby was shot dead in its mother’s lap,” said local journalist Cliff Foster.

Police repeatedly opened fire with shotguns and pistols to disperse the looters, according to witnesses. Businessmen have also been reported firing at looters before fleeing with their families.

In other unrest reported Thursday, police said three people were killed and 18 injured Wednesday night when workers attacked other staff at President Steyn gold mine in Transvaal province. Thirty-five people were arrested.