FIERCE TRIBAL FIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 83, 9 April 1934, Page 8

FIERCE TRIBAL FIGHT

BATTLE AT JOHANNESBURG JOHANNESBURG, March 20. A fierce outbreak of tribal fightingoccurred at Prospect Township, Johannesburg, yesterday, when about 200 Pondos and Basutos from the surrounding mines battled with knives, sticks and stones. More than 30 natives were injured, several being removed to the Johannesburg Non-European Hospital in a serious condition. The arrival of the township police prevented tho trouble spreading. The fight has come as a climax to several unpleasant occurrences during the past* week in Prospect Township, in which law and order has been openly defied by a certain element. Police Attacked. Last week-end a policeman in charge of about 40 prisoners was attacked by a band of natives. Reinforcements had to bo called before the natives were dispersed. On another occasion a sergeant and a policeman in charge of prisoners were attacked by a large number of natives armed with sticks and stones. Their position became so dangerous that they were forced to fire on their attackers. One native received a bullet wound in the leg. On Saturday night the police carried out an extensive raid, and more than 150 arrests were made. Informer Murdered. During the raid a police informer named Alfred, who was with the main body of policemen, was stabbed to death. The raiding parties were assaulted with stones on several occasions. Affairs took a more serious turn yesterday when tribal warfare broke out between the old rivals, the Pondos and the Basutos. As far as can be ascertained, ihe Basutos started the trouble by attacking five Pondos in the vicinity oi Jackelson’s yard in Prospect Township. The Pondos fled, shouting for assistance as they ran. A number of their tribe hurried to the rescue, and a pitched battle with knives, sticks and stones ensued. Flight to Dumps. The Pondos, still outnumbered, were beaten back. Numbers of natives were left lying on the “battlefield” unconscious. A number of injured natives crept off into the dumps when the police arrived. About 30 natives were arrested. The others scattered in all directions. Injured natives wore still coming in last night, and it is believed that others are hiding in the dumps and surrounding district. A detachment of police from Jeppe under the supervision of Sub-Inspector R. White, in charge of the eastern area, made a further raid last night, but everything was quiet. Only one arrest was made.