BERNARD SHAW, CNN ANCHOR: Factional fighting in South Africa's main city today left at least 31 people dead and dealt a bloody blow to hopes for free and fair elections next month. Leaders of the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party are accusing one another and blaming one another for sparking the violence.</s>MIKE HANNA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From the start of the day, violence is in the air. Thousands of Zulus take to the streets of downtown Johannesburg, marching in support of their king and his call to boycott the April elections. Then from at least three points on surrounding buildings, a volley of shots into the supporters of the Zulu king. The many armed Zulus in the crowd returned fire at random. The gun battle continues for more than 20 minutes, as any lingering hopes of a peaceful movement towards democracy disappear in the streets of the country's largest city. (on camera): No matter who is ultimately responsible for the shooting, the end result is the same. In the run-in to the election, the country stands at the brink of complete destabilization. (voice-over): Even in a country inured to violence, the day's events have made a shocking impact. In the offing now, a summit between political leaders, a final attempt to curtail the conflict that's turned long-held dreams of democracy into a brutal nightmare.
CNN 20: Violence Erupts in Johannesburg