Thirteen people were arrested overnight in the troubled Khutsong township and more police are being deployed in the area, North West police said on Thursday morning.
Superintendent Louis Jacobs said the arrests came after the Score supermarket in Khutsong was broken into and looted at about 10pm and a spaza shop was burnt down at about 4am.
Eight of those arrested face charges of public violence and five face charges of housebreaking and theft in connection with looting.
”Police have brought in extra personnel from across the province,” Jacobs said.
The police officers were focusing on finding those responsible for initiating looting incidents, he said.
The overnight arrests bring the number of those arrested since Wednesday to 17. The others were arrested in connection with looting and participating in illegal gatherings.
On Wednesday, Jacobs said protesters started stone-throwing and petrol-bombing in the morning and continued throughout the day.
A truck was burnt out after it was petrol-bombed and Nyala armoured vehicles were also petrol-bombed but not badly damaged.
Khutsong is part of Merafong municipality, which was incorporated into North West province last year after previously being part of Gauteng.
There have been widespread protests about the incorporation and schooling in Khutsong has been disrupted for more than a month. – Sapa