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South African police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on Tuesday at protesters demanding better sanitation, electricity and housing in impoverished townships. Tires burned and rubbish littered the streets of Standerton, in the north-eastern region of Mpumalanga, and shops were closed after thousands of people marched on the township's municipal offices. Police fired shots after the protesters tried to overturn a car, chanting "only (President Jacob) Zuma can stop us now." A police helicopter circled the township as marchers started to disperse but the situation remained tense. Widespread frustration over poor infrastructure has prompted sporadic protests since elections in April. Dissatisfied people in townships and informal settlements are trying to increase pressure on Zuma to meet election pledges to help millions who are still living in poverty 15 years after the end of apartheid. Zuma's spokesman Vincent Magwenya said he had no plans to meet the protesters and that people with grievances should call a phone line set up to contact the president. "There are avenues available to communities to engage government on challenges they face in service delivery and we encourage communities to use the presidential hotline," he said. Zuma's hotline, launched last month, has been swamped with calls and many people have been unable to get through.