Woman killed, 110 arrested in protests

A woman was killed and 110 people were arrested in Fouriesburg during public violence in the past two days, Free State police said on Tuesday.

Sergeant Majang Skalkie said 105 people were arrested during renewed protests on Tuesday. Most of those arrested had been looting shops in the local township. Five people were arrested on Monday.

The body of a 42-year-old woman was found in one of the looted shops.

Police suspected she was trampled when looters fled as police arrived on the scene. A post mortem would be held to determine the cause of her death.

Residents also blocked the road between Fouriesburg and Bethlehem. They were reportedly unhappy with a local municipality project, which was hiring workers from a neighbouring municipality.

Police were monitoring the situation.