Thirteen people were arrested on public violence charges in Petrusburg after blocking the main route between Bloemfontein and Kimberley on Thursday.
Police spokesman Captain Rolene Kuhn said the road was reopened to traffic after police made the arrests. Two women and 11 men were arrested during the morning.
About 200 disgruntled Petrusburg residents gathered at 4am, blockaded the N8 with rocks and burnt tyres during a service delivery protest.
Traffic was diverted towards Dealesville during the morning. The group wanted a response to a memorandum of demands which had been delivered to the Letsameng municipality two weeks ago. It concerned the provision of water and sanitation.
Kuhn said a police public order unit was monitoring the situation.
Last week nine people were arrested on public violence charges during similar protests. - Sapa