The sporadic protests that have been witnessed in parts of South Africa in recent days have rattled government.

In a statement government has appealed for calm saying it acknowledges the frustrations of South Africans.

Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele says they are alive to the issues related to the delivery of basic services, and calls for concerns to be raised in a peaceful and legitimate platform. He urged South Africans to pull together to overcome the challenges confronting the country.

Gungubele also warned that the police and other law enforcement agencies will act against those who violate the law.

There have been protests in KwaZulu-Natal’s Pinetown after people were left without electricity for two days. Boksburg in Gauteng also saw people take to the streets after a man died during a police search operation and in Parys in the Free State people demonstrated over the shortage of water. Government’s concern about protests also come amid rumblings about shut downs over the rolling blackouts and the higher electricity prices.