Bombings at Bus Terminal, Disco Hurt 38 in S. Africa

A bomb exploded in a crowded Johannesburg discotheque early today, injuring 19 people, just eight hours after 19 people were injured in another blast at the main bus terminal for whites in Johannesburg.

Police Colonel Franz Malherbe said seven women and 12 men were hurt when a bomb exploded in the Why Not discotheque a few minutes before 1 a.m. local time. He said 13 of the injured, all blacks, were taken to nearly hospitals for treatment. Four victims were admitted in serious condition.

The earlier blast at the bus terminal was caused by a Soviet-made limpet mine that exploded in a concrete trash bin, police said. Most of the 19 injured were white commuters. More than 100 bombs have exploded in the country since a national emergency was declared June 12, 1986.

Elsewhere, the government detained 11 activists in Cape Town, where 75 anti-apartheid organizations are planning a weekend gathering to discuss opposition to government actions. Lawyers and relatives said the activists were taken from their homes by police under emergency laws that do not require them to confirm the detentions or give a reason for the actions.

In Johannesburg, black activist Winnie Mandela visited three escaped detainees who sought refuge in the U.S. Consulate nine days ago. She criticized American restrictions barring the detainees from giving interviews.