Seven people were arrested during protests in Tembisa, near Kempton Park, on Friday, Ekurhuleni metro police said.
They faced charges of public violence and malicious damage to property, said Inspector Mveli Nhlapo.
Earlier, metro police fired rubber bullets at protesters who were stoning their vehicles.
“We asked them nicely to stop, but they didn't so we had no further option but to shoot them with rubber bullets,” Nhlapo said.
The seven people arrested had been involved in the stoning.
The situation had since quietened down and protesters were starting to disperse, he said.
Residents were apparently protesting about the high cost of electricity.
They had burnt tyres and blocked roads in the area and were intimidating people into staying away from work, said Nhlapo.
Four schools had been closed as a result of the protest. “Children were told not to go school and the residents did not want the schools opened,” he said. - Sapa