South African Police Open Fire on Third Day of Protests
The police were attempting to disperse protests in the settlement of Wesselton, near the city of Ermelo.
The protesters set tires on fire and barricaded roads, where debris from two previous days of demonstrations littered the streets.
Police say they are investigating the death of a civilian whose body was found Tuesday, after police and protesters exchanged gunfire. Authorities say it is unclear what killed the man.
The demonstrators want the government to provide more jobs and basic services like running water and electricity.
Similar protests have broken out in poor townships in the past. Millions of South Africans continue to live in severe poverty, more than 15 years after the end of apartheid.
During President Jacob Zuma's state of the nation address last week, he promised to create more jobs and move more quickly to provide running water and electricity to all citizens.
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