End to S. Africa Violence Urged
Rival black leaders appealed today for an end to fighting that has claimed at least 83 lives in five days, but declined to meet each other as they toured Tokoza to call for peace.
African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela and Zulu leader Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi separately toured different parts of Tokoza to urge followers to end fighting that has shattered the black township. But neither leader accepted invitations from the other to join their tours.
Hundreds of heavily armed soldiers and police in armored vehicles ringed the township east of Johannesburg and lined the streets to ensure there was no violence. Police said they had no reports of incidents today after savage fighting Tuesday claimed at least 52 lives.
Black factional fighting in the Johannesburg area has claimed at least 1,000 lives since August. The fighting pits Xhosas and other blacks loyal to the ANC against Zulus tied to Buthelezi’s Inkatha Freedom Party.
Buthelezi, accompanied by Law and Order Minister Adriaan Vlok, told about 3,000 Zulus armed with spears, knives and axes that there should be an end to violence. But he struck a defiant note, saying his followers had the right to self-defense.
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