Elisha Molefe

Shops were burnt and looted in Boikhutso township, near Lichtenburg in the North West, on Wednesday night and yesterday when protestors ran amok in the streets.

The protestors are demanding service delivery from the government, saying nothing has changed in the area since 1994.

The damage caused to an electrical sub-station, which was reportedly petrol-bombed on Tuesday, provided cover of darkness for looters, most of whom were youths.

In addition to the looting and burning of shops, a local church was also torched.

Pastor David Makokoe of Deeper Life Ministries was devastated after seeing the damage caused by the fire.

"This church provides more than 90 people with hot meals daily and we make sure orphans who attend school have lunch when they come back," he said.

During a visit to the area yesterday, a Sowetan team came across burnt-out shells that had once been shops and the streets were littered with debris and burning tyres.

One resident claimed her family had been subjected to police abuse.

Phuthego Malinda, 36, said her family was attacked by police officers on Wednesday night while they were in their room.

Since the protests began a total of 61 people have been arrested and charged with robbery, theft and house breaking.

Thirteen of those were arrested when the violence erupted on Thursday last week.

They appeared in the Lichtenburg magistrates' court on Monday and they were granted bail ranging from R300 to R1000.