But it did not stop the township violence - 36 blacks were killed just hours before.

The congress, which is maneuvering for advantaqge in future talks with the Government, has accused it of failing to stem the township violence.

One of the congress's conditions for resuming talks is that the Government move convincingly to curb township violence.

It has increased public pressure on Mr. de Klerk to curb township violence.

An estimated 5,000 people were thought to have died in township violence since 1986, more than 1,200 of them since August 1990.

It was the most deadly attack in four and a half months of township violence.

Previously, they said that township violence had to stop and that all political prisoners must be free before talks could begin.

However, with various groups suggesting police complicity in township violence, many blacks will find little security in a larger police force.

He said much of the blame for township violence lay with white police officers, who are "arrogant, racist and suspicious of the communities they serve."

The recent disclosures have prompted new assertions of police collusion with Inkatha in township violence.