TROUBLE IN RHODESIA

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33254, 18 June 1973, Page 13

TROUBLE IN RHODESIA

Armed guerrilla shot by police

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

SALISBURY, June 17.

Rhodesian policemen today shot and seriously wounded an African guerrilla fighter who jumped from a bus when it was stopped at a police check-point on the outskirts of Enkeldoorn, about 75 miles south of Salisbury. “A box in the man’s possession was found to contain firearms, ammunition, grenades, and a mine,” a security headquarters communique said. “As the terrorist ran from the bus, a primed grenade fell from his pocket. The terrorist is now in hospital, under guard.” The communique adds that the shooting was a sequel to intensive police investigations after the killing, on March 30, of a white farmer, Mr Hendrik Joubert, on his farm about 50 miles from Enkeldoorn. (Two days after the shooting, security forces killed one member of the gang alleged to have been responsible, and wounded another).

Fifty-five guerrillas have been killed by security forces since the latest guerrilla offensive began in December of last year, and an undisclosed number are in custody. The Army and police have lost 13 men in action, and have 36 wounded. Twelve civilians, most of them white, have died.