Police fired rubber bullets at protesters in South African town of Wesselton Wednesday in a third day of demonstrations to demand jobs and improved services.

Riot police deployed into the streets of Wesselton, around 200 kilometres east of Johannesburg, to disperse protesters who also dragged the charred remains of Tuesday's barricades back into the road, the AFP reported.

Stores and schools are closed due to fears that Tuesday violence could repeat, when police opened fire on protesters several times.

According to the reports, a civilian was found dead, but it is not clear who killed him.

Police announced that it fired rubber bullets on protesters Tuesday at Wesselton protesters who trashed and looted foreign-owned shops, and shot live ammunition into walls as a warning after demonstrators opened fire at the security forces.

South Africa routinely sees violent protests in its impoverished shantytowns over demands for better housing and services like water and electricity, although deadly clashes are rare.

South African police minister warned that violence would be punished.