WATCH: Melmoth protesters loot shops
Police are monitoring a protest that has turned violent on the R66 in Melmoth in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
It is believed residents who had been granted permission to march and hand over a memorandum to municipal officials, blockaded the road with burning tyres and debris instead.
The police's Thulani Zwane says the community members also looted shops in the area.
''The crowd took their memorandum to the offices of their local municipality and thereafter returned to the R66 where the protest was taking place.
''It's alleged that they have again blocked the road, using burning tyres as well as stones. Police have managed to arrest seven suspects and they were charged for public violence,'' he said.
Motorists using the R66 in and out of Melmoth have been advised to consider alternative routes, or plan for delays on the route.
See a video from the Zululand Observer and photos showing the scene below.
(Video courtesy of Zululand Observer) (Photos: Facebook/VijayNaicker)