Two South African police officers have been arrested over the Wednesday shooting of a 16-year-old boy with disability, which sparked protests in Johannesburg.

According to the family of Nathaniel Julius, he had gone to buy biscuits when he was shot dead in Eldorado Park.

The BBC reports that the officers will be charged with murder and "possibly defeating the ends of justice.”

The shooting of the teenager has been condemned by President Cyril Ramaphosa who called for calm and urged Eldorado Park residents to cooperate with investigators in the quest for justice.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and neighbours of Nathaniel who has, as a 16-year-old, been deprived of a future and whose tragic death has given rise to anger and unrest in a community that deserves better," he said.