5 Killed, 14 Hurt as Gunfire Rakes Crowded S. African Train Platform

Two assailants opened fire on a crowded train platform, killing five people and wounding 14, police said Thursday.

Col. Frans Malherbe said the attackers began shooting “for no rhyme or reason” at the Jeppe station in Johannesburg. “They didn’t say anything,” Malherbe said. “They just walked up and opened fire.”

All of the victims were black, and so were the gunmen, police said. The assailants fled the scene.

A hospital spokesman said that 14 men had been admitted with gunshot wounds, including eight in critical condition.

Earlier, police in the township of Soweto fired tear gas and shotguns to disperse rival black factions in street clashes. Police said at least one person was stabbed to death and 16 were injured. Soweto residents said three people died.

It was not known if the Johannesburg attack was linked to township fighting between Zulu followers of the conservative Inkatha movement and Xhosas and other blacks loyal to the African National Congress.

Also on Thursday, the ANC and government officials met in Pretoria to discuss a no-violence pact, the status of ANC guerrillas and other issues. No statements were issued after the meeting.

The ANC formally suspended its 29-year guerrilla campaign on Aug. 6. That improved prospects for negotiations on a new constitution to give blacks a voice in national affairs.

But ANC leader Nelson Mandela and other groups have pressed for an independent probe into army involvement in the deaths of 11 people this week in Sebokeng. Mandela said Thursday that investigations begun by the government would be a “whitewash.”