South African police use rubber bullets to scatter protesters after marchers torch police car

South African protesters burn police vehicle

JOHANNESBURG — South African police say they fired rubber bullets to scatter protesters who torched a police vehicle outside an informal settlement in Johannesburg.

Police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said Tuesday that the continuing protests may have been over the government’s failure to provide some residents with basic services such as water and electricity. She says police have arrested about 15 protesters and have not reported any injuries.

Many South Africans live in poverty and President Jacob Zuma is under pressure to improve basic services to impoverished areas. Such protests are a common way for residents to express their discontent.