Four factories were petrol-bombed as violent protests continued in Isithebe, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday night.

On Tuesday morning, protesters were marching to the local police station to demand the release of 120 people arrested on charges of public violence, malicious damage to property, and arson after a several factories and vehicles were torched.

Posted by IPSS Rescue on Tuesday, 8 March 2016

The group was expected to appear in the Nyoni Magistrate´s Court.

IPSS Security spokesperson Dylan Meyrick said the situation in the area was tense.

“Last night they petrol bombed four factories and one was razed to the ground completely, while the others were damaged before the fire department reacted. They also ransacked and looted two places,” he said.

Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said only two factories were set alight. He said it was “relatively quiet” on Tuesday, and police would remain in the area.

The protest purportedly stems from the re-nomination of the ex-major to stand as a councillor in the upcoming local government elections.

Source: News24