S. Africa Clamps Down on Townships

The government imposed emergency measures today on black townships hit by savage fighting and ordered in more police and soldiers to try to end battles that have left more than 500 dead.

African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela later met with President Frederik W. de Klerk. Mandela said negotiations with the government will continue despite what he called an unnecessary move declaring the townships “unrest areas.”

“We are the architects and we are determined (the talks) will succeed,” he said.

Earlier, De Klerk said the government will not allow the country to deteriorate into anarchy.

Law and Order Minister Adriaan Vlok announced the emergency measures in Pretoria on a day of little serious fighting in the townships.

The announcement came almost two weeks after political and tribal clashes between Zulus loyal to the conservative Inkatha political movement and Xhosas, most of them ANC supporters, flared.

Vlok said the number of police and soldiers in the emergency areas will be “drastically increased.”

People in the areas will not be allowed to carry a wide range of weapons at public meetings--including firebombs, spears, battle axes, garden forks, knives and machetes.

The measures will last for three months, but could be extended, Vlok said.

“Should these measures not have the required effect, I shall not hesitate to institute stricter measures,” he said.

Vlok told journalists the crackdown will not restrict reporting in the affected areas, as a nationwide state of emergency imposed in 1985 did. The government lifted the emergency on June 8 in all areas except for Natal province because of continued black factional fighting there.