South Africa has said it 'strongly objects' to travel advice issued by the Australian government which warns of a 'high level of serious crime' in the country.

In a statement, South Africa explained that the guidance could 'tarnish our country's image' and 'deter Australians from visiting'.

It comes amid a row between the two countries after Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said persecuted white farmers in South Africa were experiencing 'horrific circumstances' and should be offered refuge in Australia.

The advice, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, tells Australians to 'exercise a high degree of caution'.

South Africa's international relations minister, Lindiwe Sisulu (pictured), said she will be raising the issue with Julie Bishop, her Australian counterpart

The advice (pictured), from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, tells Australians to 'exercise a high degree of caution'

It goes on: 'Crime, including violent crime, is a serious issue in South Africa. Most types of crime are increasing. Be alert.'

Murder, rape, mugging, theft, carjacking, smash-and-grab robbery and violent assault are among the crimes Australians are warned about.

The advice adds: 'Don't expect the same level of service from South African police as you would in Australia.'

Sisulu promised to raise the issue with Julie Bishop (pictured in London yesterday)

But the guidance, unchanged since January, prompted an angry response from South Africa yesterday.

A statement from the government claimed the advice contained 'misleading information about South Africa' and misrepresented the experiences of foreign visitors to the country.

It added: 'Officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation have in the past requested, without success, that the advisory be amended to reflect the situation in South Africa as it relates to the true experiences of foreign tourists.

'The decision to escalate the matter follows these unsuccessful attempts and indicates the seriousness with which the South African government values the contribution of the tourism sector to the economy.'

South Africa's international relations minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, also said she will be raising the issue with Julie Bishop, her Australian counterpart.

Relations between the countries are already strained after Dutton's vow to fast-track white South African farmer being persecuted in the country.

The South African government denies white people are deliberately targeted and says farm murders are part of South Africa's wider violent crime problem.

The situation has worsened since the ruling African National Congress joined with the Economic Freedom Fighters party (EFF) last month and announced a motion to confiscate white-owned land without compensation.

EFF leader Julius Malema, who was previously convicted of hate speech for singing the outlawed apartheid-era song 'Shoot the Boer,' said recently: 'We are cutting the throat of whiteness.'

EFF leader Julius Malema, who was previously convicted of hate speech for singing the outlawed apartheid-era song 'Shoot the Boer,' said recently: 'We are cutting the throat of whiteness'

A 2017 South African government audit found white people owned 72 per cent of farmland. Pictured: White South Africans protesting against the murder of white farmers last year

In racist remarks last month, Malema urged white South Africans to 'go and live in a racist country like Australia' in front of a cheering crowd during a Human Rights Day rally.

'A racist country like Australia says: ''EFF wants to kill white farmers – they must come to Australia''.

If they want to go, they must go. They must leave the keys of the tractors because we want to work the land.

'They must leave the keys of the houses, because we want to live in those houses. They must leave everything that they did not come with to South Africa.'

A 2017 South African government audit found white people owned 72 per cent of farmland.

