South African police yesterday fired rubber bullets at protesters after President Cyril Ramaphosa cut short a foreign trip to deal with violent riots over alleged government corruption and poor public services.
Shops were looted, roads were blocked and vehicles set alight in North West province in unrest that posed an early challenge for Ramaphosa, who came to power in February.
At least 23 people were arrested and one man was reported to have died in sporadic violence that erupted this week in Mahikeng, the provincial capital.
Ramaphosa arrived in the city yesterday and was locked in talks with local leaders after he cut short his trip to a Commonwealth summit in London.
Violent protests are common in South Africa, but North West province has been a hotbed of unrest due to boiling frustration over lack of housing, health services and jobs.
Police fired rubber bullets as protesters hid behind cardboard sheets, while roads were littered with burning tyres and bricks that had been thrown through the air.
In a statement, Ramaphosa expressed “serious concern” over clashes between police and protesters.
He called for people “to express their grievances through peaceful means and engagement rather than violence and anarchy” and urged security forces to show restraint.
The trigger for the unrest was reportedly the death on Tuesday of two patients at a health clinic that was closed due to a month-long dispute over health workers’ salaries and contracts.
Much of the anger has been directed at Supra Mahumapelo, the provincial premier, who is accused of involvement in graft scandals that have engulfed the ruling ANC (African National Congress) party.
A police officer looks on as protesters chant slogans during protests in Mahikeng, in the North West province, South Africa, yesterday.
