The causes of violent protests in Mpumalanga's Lekwa Municipality are receiving urgent attention, the department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs said on Wednesday.

"We appeal to the community to give us an opportunity to deal with the issues. Plans have been put in place to deal with issues brought forward," spokesperson Simphiwe Kunene said in a statement.

A probe into the municipality's affairs, which had its seat in Standerton, revealed officials had been implicated in "misrepresentation of information", fraud, corruption and theft.

"The recovery plan has indicated disciplinary action that will be instituted against all officials implicated by charging them and suspending them."

Kunene appealed for calm and peace in the area.

Residents marched through the town on Tuesday and presented a memorandum demanding the resignation of councillors they accused of stealing funds meant for service delivery.

Protesters gave the Lekwa municipality a Wednesday noon deadline to respond to their demands.

On Wednesday, roads into Standerton's Sakhile township remained blocked by smouldering trash heaps, stones, burning tyres and concrete barriers.

R30-million gone missing

Kunene said the department had appointed a team to investigate the R30-million that went missing in 2004, and other related matters.

"The department will be expecting the report from the team of investigators by the end of October."

A cost recovery programme against officials who received money irregularly and managers paid bonuses illegally was being instituted.

Kunene urged residents in areas where violent protests were taking place to report "unruly elements" who promoted violence and destruction of property to the police.

"We condemn unwarranted violence, malicious destruction of property, intimidation of individuals and the disrespect of the rule of law by certain residents of Sakhile in the Lekwa municipality, and in Belfast and Machadodorp in the Emakhazeni local municipality."

On protests in the latter area, he said: "We have received a report from the municipality and are engaging with them on the issues that have been raised."