Protests over poor service delivery turns violent in S. Africa

Protests over poor service delivery turned violent on Wednesday in several townships in South Africa.

Hundreds of residents in the townships of Letlhabile, Jericho, Damonsville and Maboloka near Brits, about 60 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg, barricaded roads and disrupted schooling and public transport amid a heavy police presence.

Some protesters burned tyres and threw rocks at passing vehicles, prompting police to intervene.

During the protest which began on Sunday over shortage of water, some foreign-owned shops were also looted.

On Tuesday, a councillor house in Jericho was burned down.

Up till now, about 26 people have been arrested for alleged involvement in acts of violence and will be charged with public violence and malicious damage to property, police spokesperson Kay Makhubele said.

He said police were trying to monitor the situation.

The protesters vowed to continue the protest until the local municipality provides them with water.

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has made strides in improving housing while expanding access to clean water and electricity. But many South Africans still live in shacks without power, often sharing a single tap among dozens of households. Endi