A housing delivery protest turned violent when about 400 Daveyton residents torched seven shacks at the Gabone informal settlement on Wednesday morning, Gauteng police said.

Angry that RDP houses were being given to illegitimate beneficiaries, the mob burned down shacks belonging to people who have already been given houses, said Constable Oupa Magwaza.

"They gathered illegally around 8am and planned to march to the (Daveyton) police station to protest against last night's (Tuesday) arrest of three of their leaders," said Magwaza.

The three men were arrested for assault and public violence after they allegedly assaulted a local councillor during a protest last week.

"We managed to stop the protesters this (Wednesday) morning before they could get to the police station. However, they had already set seven shack alight, completely destroying them," Magwaza said.

The damage was estimated at R50 000.

The protesters dispersed peacefully at noon after police negotiated with them. No arrests were made on Wednesday.