28 die in Natal tribal clash

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33783, 4 March 1975, Page 17

28 die in Natal tribal clash

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

GLENCOE (Natal), March 3.

One of the worst tribal clashes in South Africa’s troubled mining history left 28 African workers dead and 14 wounded after a night of killing and looting at the Northfield colliery in Glencoe.

Fighting broke out between Basuto and Xhosa tribesmen on Saturday night and did not end until dawn yesterday morning when 'police finally got into the mine hostel’s compound for [African workers where the rioting occurred. They found the bodies of 19 Africans, stabbed to death, and 17 seriously wounded. Three of the injured died ; later in hospital. Six more [African workers were killed when they tried to force their I way through the compound’s

I main entrance that had been occupied by rival tribesmen, before the police arrived.

I A spokesman at the mine, near Glencoe in Natal province. said that according to reports, the rioting was started by an argument between two Africans that [ended with one stabbing the [other to death. I According to police, the [trouble developed into an ! inter-tribal clash between [ groups of the 359 Basutos ;and 837 Xhosas employed at The colliery.