The situation has calmed down at Shallcross in Chatsworth, south of Durban, on Monday following Sunday's violent protest during which boats were burnt in the area, KwaZulu-Natal police said.
At about 15:00 on Sunday, angry Link Road informal settlement residents barricaded the road with burning boats and tyres after a 5-year-old girl was knocked down and killed by a vehicle.
It was said that the protesters got the boats from a property situated across the road they had blocked off.
Captain Nqobile Gwala said a case of culpable homicide was opened at Chatsworth police station after the death of the young girl.
"After the incident, angry community members blockaded the road and protested by burning boat and tyres. It is alleged that they also stoned passing vehicles," she said.
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A case of public violence was opened in connection with the protest, Gwala said.
"All roads were cleared and nothing has been reported this morning (Monday)," added Gwala.