South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has described as “unfortunate” a US terror alert for an upmarket area of Johannesburg.

The US warning urged Americans to steer clear of big gatherings. It said the warning affects the suburb of Sandton, and is particularly acute during the coming weekend.

President Ramaphosa said the alert had been issued without any discussion with the South African authorities.

On Tuesday, the US and three other Western countries issued a similar terror alert for Nigeria.

Non-essential diplomatic staff in the capital, Abuja, are being relocated.