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GV Policemen and soldiers searching in Entumbane area for live ammunition
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GV PAN Entumbane township
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SV Police and soldiers walk along road (2 shots)
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GV Entumbane township PAN TO corpses (MUTE)
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CU/GV Corpses (3 shots) (MUTE)
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SV Police and villagers looking on (2 shots) (MUTE)
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SV Armoured car at roadside near where corpses were found (MUTE)
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Zimbabwe's Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe, said on Saturday (15 November) that this government is considering disarming thousands of nationalist guerrillas. This follows fighting near Bulawayo between rival guerrilla groups earlier this week. Fifty-five people died. Mr. Mugabe made his comments while speaking to a meeting of white Zimbabwean farmers. He was hoping to convince them his government is making every effort to ensure their security.

SYNOPSIS: In Bulawayo, police and soldiers have been clearing the area of live ammunition. The new Zimbabwean National Army has been patrolling in an effort to stop further clashes. One of the few encouraging aspects of the fighting was the effective performance of the new army -- made up of former Zipra (Zimbabwe Peoples Revolutionary Army) and Zanla (Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army) guerrillas.

A number of civilians were accidentally killed in the gun battle. But, some political 'executions' also took place. One of the dead was found with his hands tied behind his back. The fighting highlights one of Mr. Mugabe's most pressing problems -- what to do with an estimated 25,000 guerrillas still with weapons. Mr. Mugabe is hoping many will join the National Army, abandoning their former political differences.