South Africa tests 10 seized Soviet tanks

Soviet battle tanks are churning across South Africa's deserts and plains, and the South African Army is delighted. Ten new T-55 tanks, bristling with weapons, were seized when a French ship called at the Indian Ocean port of Durban last year to refuel. They were being tested by the South African Army Thursday.

After several press leaks, the government arms corporation (Armscor) finally confirmed that the tanks were in a shipment that had been seized last April.

An Armscor spokesman said the tanks and 165 tons of ammunition were unloaded "after arrangements with the captain of the ship following information that they were destined for Angola to aid the SWAPO (South- West Africa People's Organization) movement."