
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 29, 1990                   TAG: 9003290695
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH                                 LENGTH: Short

AT LEAST 25 DEAD IN ZULU BATTLING

Hundreds of people today took refuge in churches and schools after savage fighting between Zulu war bands with guns and knives left at least 25 people dead and scores injured, authorities said.

Reporters described the Edendale area of the southeastern province of Natal as a "valley of death" following the battle between rival groups for control of several villages. Bodies were seen lying in village streets and on hillsides in the rugged countryside.

Hospital workers said the death toll was higher than 25 because some bodies were removed by relatives and the deaths not reported.

Thousands of Zulu fighters from the United Democratic Front and the conservative Inkatha movement have been battling around Edendale since Tuesday.

Both groups are anti-apartheid, but Inkatha is more tribal-based and favors a Zulu state.

-Associated Press

by CNB