Classroom petrol bombed in Johannesburg

Protesting residents in Zandspruit, north of Johannesburg, petrol-bombed a classroom overnight over poor service delivery, says police.

"It was a prefab classroom in a local primary school that burnt to the ground, but the fire did not reach other classrooms," Warrant Officer Balan Muthan said on Friday.

He could not provide the name of the school. No one was injured as the school was closed.

"It's calm right now and there is no protesting happening," metro police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said.

Violence erupted on Thursday morning when protesters barricaded Beyers Naude Drive with tyres, and pelted passing cars and police officers with stones.

Residents turned on the police when they tried to stop protesters from petrol bombing rubbish strewn on the road.

"Many of our officers were stoned, but because of their riot gear and shields, none of them were injured," said Muthan.

The road was closed for a short while and then re-opened. One protester was arrested for arson and expected to appear in court soon.

No locals or motorists were reported injured.

Residents were apparently unhappy about inadequate sanitation and poor housing.