RHODESIA: REV SITHOLE TELLS RALLY HE WILL ISSUE CEASEFIRE ORDERS SHORTLY.

Record ID: 215703

  • Title: RHODESIA: REV SITHOLE TELLS RALLY HE WILL ISSUE CEASEFIRE ORDERS SHORTLY.
  • Date: 23rd May 1978
  • Summary: 1. GV: Rev Sithole walking through cheering crowds. (4 SHOTS) 0.37 2. SV & CU: Rev Sithole joints dancers. 1.02 3. SV: Women dancing and singing. 1.10 4. SCU & GV: Rev Sithole addressing rally. 1.39 SITHOLE:"Why did ZANU support and prosecute the armed struggle? There was only one thing. It was majority rule on the basis of one man, one
  • Embargoed: 7th June 1978 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GWANZURA STADIUM, HIGHFIELD, SALISBURY, RHODESIA
  • Country: Zimbabwe
  • Reuters ID: LVA6RRRCNEQDJEPNE576HYT57OMX
  • Story Text: In Rhodesia, clashes between rival black nationalist factions have resulted in the arrest of at least 84 blacks. The disturbances occurred last Saturday night (20 May) after a peaceful mass rally addressed by the Rev Ndabaningi Sithole at the Salisbury's black township of Highfield. All three major nationalist groups disclaimed responsibility for the violence during which stone-throwing crowds damaged several vehicles and homes. No casualty figures were announced by police.

    SYNOPSIS: The address by Mr. Sithole, who is a member of Rhodesia's four-man ruling Executive Council, attracted 10,000 people. It was his biggest rally since the signing of the Salisbury majority rule agreement on March 3. He told the crowds he would shortly issue orders for an end to the fighting which has troubled the country for the last five years. The blame for military activities, he placed squarely on those he termed "the enemies" of the Salisbury Agreement signed by himself, by white Premier Ian Smith, and by fellow black leaders Bishop Abel Muzorewa and Chief Jeremiah Chirau. Fighting had increased recently and in the week before the rally alone, 125 deaths had been announced.

    Mr. Sithole declared that most of the guerrilla commanders in the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) accepted the idea of a ceasefire and he hoped to see it implemented within a few weeks.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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