SEKHUKHUNE district municipality executive mayor David Magabe has condemned the use of violence to force companies to offer jobs

Magabe was speaking after violence broke out at GaPhasha and GaMampuru villages during a protest to force Xstrata Mine to make jobs available to local people.

He said it was a criminal offence that could land them in jail.

Magabe said although "residents' concern and desperation for jobs were genuine, it is always advisable to use the right channels than take the law into your own hands".

The angry residents embarked on a protest march on Tuesday in a bid to force mine management to employ local people.

Police said a truck and a security guard's car were pelted with stones and smashed during the protest.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohale Ramatseba said three people arrested in connection with the incident would face charges of malicious damage to property and public violence.

Chairperson of the community advisory committee, Biko Mphoka, said the standoff started after a R4,9 billion mining project was launched and local companies and unemployed people were ignored.