Cars torched and shops looted as anti-migrant violence erupts in South Africa

At least 24 vehicles have been set ablaze and foreign-owned shops looted in South Africa as anti-immigration protests descended into violence in two major cities, police say.

Clashes broke out on Thursday in Soweto, a sprawling township outside Johannesburg, the country's largest city, and Durban, a major port on the east coast.

The violence comes amid growing anger over a court ruling requiring the government to remove barriers that had prevented some migrants from applying for asylum.

South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence, often targeting migrants from neighbouring countries.

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Thursday's demonstration turned violent following allegations that a foreign national had assaulted one of the protesters in Durban.

Three foreign nationals were arrested in connection with the alleged assault, police said.

In Durban, in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, protesters gathered outside a government refugee reception centre demanding that it stop accepting asylum applications.

Police fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds as businesses in the city centre shut their doors.

"There were clashes between foreign nationals in the area and South African nationals," Xolani Fihla, a senior local police officer, told the SABC.

"At the present moment, I can confirm that no injuries have been reported," he added.

Police said 14 vehicles were torched in Durban and 10 in Soweto, where gunshots were also reported during confrontations between South African residents and foreign shopkeepers.

Acting national police commissioner Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane condemned the destruction of property.

In Orlando West, a neighbourhood of Soweto, residents had initially gathered to demand the closure of small convenience stores, known locally as spaza shops, operated by foreign nationals.