South African police have clashed with ANC supporters at the start of campaigning for May’s general election.

The violence erupted in central Johannesburg as police tried to block them from confronting members of the opposition Democratic Alliance party.

It is being seen as a sign of rising tensions in South Africa and the biggest test yet for President Jacob Zuma and his African National Congress which has been in power since the end of white apartheid rule.

Thousands of Democratic Alliance supporters were brought in to the city by bus for a demonstration against high unemployment.

After the brief clash with police the marchers turned around and the protest ended, with DA members saying they had decided to call things off to prevent further violence.