South African police are investigating whether a three-month-old baby's death was caused by tear gas fired by officers at a nearby protest.
Police intervened when residents barricaded streets during a strike in the Majakaneng community near the town of Brits, northwest of Johannesburg on Friday, police spokesman Thulani Ngubane said.
"Some things like tear gas and stun grenades were fired," the spokesman said.
"According to the family, the child was with the father in a house and the child died instantly in his room. They allege it was because of tear gas."
The family claimed an empty canister was found in their yard, Ngubane said.
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South African police, which has been plagued by scandals and blunders, opened an inquest into the death and said it would conduct pathological tests.
An official watchdog's annual report said 431 deaths resulting from police action were reported over 2012 and 2013.
