S. Africa’s Growing Unrest Prompts Official Warning
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The government warned today that it will use emergency measures to curb growing unrest in black areas as police today reported 19 deaths in a black township that has been wracked by factional fighting.
Law and Order Minister Adriaan Vlok, who commands the police, told Parliament that the government is determined to stop violence, which according to various reports has killed about 200 blacks in the last month.
The worst fighting was in Kathlehong, 12 miles east of Johannesburg, where five people were killed overnight and 14 more bodies were found today, police said.
The fighting began several days ago between rival black taxi groups over control of routes and other local problems not directly related to politics.
The dispute escalated, and groups of black youths have been waging running battles against each other, according to police and witnesses.
Houses have been attacked by firebombs, vehicles have been stoned and set afire, and there has been sporadic gunfire.
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