The opposition on Wednesday accused South African police of using live ammunition to quell protests in a black township in the Free State Province, leading to the deaths of at least two people.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said firing live ammunition at protesters was unacceptable" under whatever circumstances. The opposition party demanded that Free State police commissioner Khela Sithole give an explanation on this matter.
A protester was shot dead on Tuesday when police opened fire on protesters trying to lay siege to a police station in the town of Zamdela, in Sasolburg. Local residents had been protesting since Sunday against a municipal plan to merge the Sasolburg municipality into that of Parys regarded by protesters as poorly run and corrupt.
"In an attempt to protect the property and lives of police members, shots were fired at an angry mob that was attacking the police station," Free State police said in a statement.
DA Free State leader Patricia Kopane refuted the argument, saying: "While the situation was volatile and violent in Sasolburg, the use of live ammunition to deal with protests is unacceptable."
Another protester was shot dead during the protest on Tuesday. But the cause of his death remained unclear. Press reports said he was shot dead by a motorist after a group of protesters tried to block his way. However, some protesters claimed he was killed by police live ammunition.
During days of violence, nine people were injured and nearly 260 protesters were arrested for public violence. Police launched overnight raids in Zamdela, conducting door-to- door searches and recovered some of the looted property, including building materials and goods, said police spokesman Sam Makhele.
Authorities have decided to reverse the plan to merge the two cities, Cooperative Governance Minister Richard Baloyi said on Tuesday after meeting with officials from the affected municipality to discuss the protesters' grievances.