MAHIKENG, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa’s new president Cyril Ramaphosa appealed for calm on Friday after flying into the northern city of Mahikeng to try to quell an outbreak of violent demonstrations. REFILE - CORRECTING GRAMMAR Police officer stands guard after a filling station was looted by protesters in Mahikeng, North West Province, South Africa, April 20, 2018. REUTERS/Siphiwe SibekoRamaphosa cut short a visit to a Commonwealth summit in Britain a day earlier to travel to the North West province where crowds have been protesting against poor public services and demanding the resignation of the local government leader. Locals loot cement from an AfriSam cement truck during protests in Mahikeng, North West Province, South Africa, April 20, 2018. Protesters seeking jobs, better housing, roads and hospitals frequently clash with police in South Africa, where weak economic growth has left more than one in four workers unemployed.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 20, 2018 15:03 UTC