Frankfort in the Free State was calm on Wednesday morning, but police remained on the alert for more service delivery protests.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Motarafi Ntepe said a heavy police presence was maintained in Frankfort and Namahadi where demonstrations turned violent this week.

Residents are up in arms over what they regard as delays in the provision of housing and nepotism in the local council.

Ntepe said 64 people have been arrested on charges of public violence since the protests began on Sunday.

"Thirty-three people, among them seven minors, have appeared in the Frankfort Magistrate's Court on charges of public violence on Tuesday," said Ntepe.

The minors were released into the custody of their parents and the others were remanded in custody. They would appear in court again on August 23 for bail applications.

Ntepe said another 31 people arrested would appear in court on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, protesters burned down three houses belonging to ANC officials in the area.

National police commissioner Jackie Selebe visited the town on Tuesday for talks with the Frankfort police station commissioner and other officers.

Police reinforcements from Bethlehem, Phuthaditjhaba and Botshabelo were called in after protesting residents continued to run riot in the township.

Residents of Namahadi resorted to violence on Sunday allegedly after their demands were not met.

They had previously handed a memorandum of demands to the Mafube municipality.

Residents said their local councillors had not properly addressed their demands during a meeting on Sunday.

They barricaded the road between Frankfort and Villiers with burning tyres, stones and road signs.

Two vehicles were destroyed when they tried to drive through a barricade of burning tyres. The driver of a truck was seriously injured in the incident.

Municipal offices were also set alight, a stadium was vandalised and various shops inside the township were looted.

Joel Mafereka, Free State MEC for local government and housing, visited the town on Monday and told residents that he would set up a committee to investigate allegations contained in their memorandum.

Mafereka said he would meet Mafube municipal councillors within seven days and report back to residents within 14 days. - Sapa