The U.S. government has issued a travel advisory urging Americans to “exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping” amid waves of violent protests in the cities of Soweto and Durban.

On Friday, U.S. authorities encouraged “all U.S. citizens to review the South Africa Travel Advisory that categorises travel to South Africa as “Level 2 – Exercise increased caution.”

“Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping,” the travel advisory said. “Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging. There are also “smash-and-grab” attacks on vehicles.”

The travel advisory also stated that “Violent crime is more common in the downtown areas of big cities, especially after dark. Kidnapping is a threat in South Africa. Kidnappers target U.S. citizens and other foreign travellers to steal money.”

Violent protests erupted in Soweto and Durban on Thursday over a Constitutional Court ruling easing access to asylum, including for migrants who entered South Africa without the requisite asylum transit visas or missed reporting deadlines.

The acting national police commissioner, Puleng Dimpane, said at least 10 vehicles were burnt in Johannesburg and 14 in Durban.

Footage of burning cars, vandalised properties and locals looting shops emerged on social media as violent protests swept through Soweto and Durban.