Mandela Wants Troops to Halt Tribal Fighting

Nelson Mandela on Thursday urged the government to use troops to stop violence in black townships, where Zulu and Xhosa war bands clashed for the 12th day with spears, axes and knives. Police said four people died.

President Frederik W. de Klerk said the government would announce new moves today to stop the tribal fighting, in which 500 people have been killed. He said the moves would include additional restrictions on the ownership of weapons, but he did not elaborate.

Mandela, second in command of the African National Congress, said the government should place soldiers and police officers around migrant workers’ hostels in the townships where much of the violence has occurred. When asked if the violence was easing, Mandela said, “I don’t think so. I think it’s too early to say that.”

There have been troops in the townships since last weekend. Mandela suggested that soldiers and policemen be kept around the migrant workers’ hostels to prevent fighting between hostel residents and others in the townships.

That is being done to some extent already, but not at all hostels and not around the clock.

Earlier, a spokesman for the ANC said the group could soon begin peace talks with the conservative Zulu-based Inkatha movement. Supporters of the two groups are the main combatants in the fighting.

In the Kagiso township west of Johannesburg, hundreds of heavily armed Xhosas said they wanted to destroy a migrant workers’ hostel occupied by Zulus.

“I don’t care if I die! We just want to fight with the Zulus!” screamed an enraged Xhosa armed with a butcher knife.

The two sides fought with spears, axes and clubs, and police fired tear gas to drive them apart. Roaming gangs of Zulus with red headbands looted and burned several deserted homes, while Xhosas burned houses belonging to Zulu residents.

Police spokeswoman Lt. Henriette Bester said four people died, including a woman shot by police officers who were trying to stop a crowd from damaging and looting houses.