Two municipal buildings in Ficksburg, in the eastern Free State, were set alight by protesters on Thursday after the killing of a man, allegedly by the police.
“The home affairs building and the public works building was set alight at around 12.45pm,” said police spokesman Captain Phumelelo Dlamini.
“We are not sure if anyone has been injured or if the buildings were evacuated in time,” he said.
The buildings were on different streets.
Dlamini said firefighters were on the scene and were trying to extinguish the flames. The blazes had not been contained by 3pm.
“I'm also not sure if our members arrested anyone yet for arson,” he said.
Earlier, Dlamini described said the area as “calm” and said residents were in their homes.
No arrests had been made yet in connection with the murder of Andries Tatane, 33 who was the breadwinner of his family and had one child.
Forty five people were arrested for public violence on Wednesday and 200 people converged on the Ficksburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday singing and toyi-toying to demand their release.
“The crowd at court are under control and have not been violent,” said Dlamini.
Leading the march, Lereko Manako, of the Concern Citizens of Meqheleng forum, said they would not leave until their members were freed.
He said scores of residents were injured in Wednesday's protest when police opened fire on them.
“People were trampled and hurt in the commotion and we don't even know if it was live ammunition or rubber bullets.”
He was aware of the fire a few roads away and dismissed SABC reports that pupils started it.
“We only have adults protesting, not children,” he said.
Dlamini said police were not sure if pupils were involved.
Manako said he was mandated to speak on behalf of the Tatane family.
“The family are really, really sad and distraught and it's a terrible situation.
“They are angry and we are giving them time to now sought out funeral arrangements,” he said.
The Human Rights Commission of SA (HRCSA) said it had engaged with the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) on Thursday and was assured that the matter would be thoroughly investigated .
HRCSA chairman advocate Lawrence Mushwana said it was concerned about what appeared to be a trend in South Africa where residents were violated by police when exercising their constitutional rights.
He said there were similar reports of police brutality during recent service delivery protests in Ermelo.
The ICD has sent a team of investigators to Ficksburg.
“They will investigate and take statements from witnesses and police... then an identity parade will be carried out,” said ICD spokesman Moses Dlamini.”
Firearms would be sent for ballistics testing.
A report of the findings would be compiled and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision on whether to prosecute, he said.
It was not clear if the police officers accused of the crime had been suspended.
Earlier, the ANC said it wanted Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to probe the matter and institute an “immediate commission of inquiry”.
The party also expressed concern about the airing of the of the “shocking and disturbing images” of the killing on SABC television news.
It called the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) to investigate whether the broadcaster had overstepped its mandate,” said spokesman Jackson Mthembu.
Police allegedly fired rubber bullets into Tatane's chest and then beat him with batons during a service delivery protest in the Meqheleng township.
He was allegedly attacked by at least six policemen “simultaneously”, according to media reports.
He was seen holding his hand against his chest after the assault and collapsed about 20 minutes later. He died before the ambulance arrived. -
Sapa