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BETTER SAFE: Foreign business owners load goods into their vehicles after their shops were looted following violent protests in Vredefort, Free State. Photo: Mohau Mofokeng

Colonel Thandi Mbambo said the situation was calm in the morning after some electricity supply was restored to the town.

Mokwallo residents blocked roads with burning tyres and stones this week, apparently in protest against a lack of electricity and water supplies.

A group of 2000 residents started protesting and in the process three foreign-owned shops were damaged by fire.

Attempts to set alight a municipal building in Mokwallo earlier in the week failed, but protesters broke most of the windows.

Police have been in the town since 2am on Wednesday morning.