ABOUT 100 shack dwellers in Gugulethu, Cape Town, protested at the weekend against being led by people who live in "brick houses".

The residents were all from Cape Town's Ward 40, which is mostly made up of shacks.

They told Sowetan they were "sick and tired" of being led by people who lived in decent houses while they stayed in shacks. They are accusing the ANC of "complacency".

Kanana Street committee chairperson Vuyisile Mbanjwa said they decided to protest after their preferred candidate, Mzwakhe Qavashe, failed to make the shortlist of the ANC's candidate councillors. "We want someone who knows the living conditions in shacks so that he or she can feel our pain," he said.

Barcelona informal settlement resident Bulelani Ncaphayi said they had had four councillors, all from Gugulethu's "brick houses". "Those people are using us to climb the ladder. Councillor Nomhlobo Klaas does not even come here. If we call her, she always says her car cannot come to the shacks."

Ntombosindiso Mrwebi of Kanana informal settlement vowed that if Qavashe's name did not appear on ballot papers she would not vote.

Klaas was not available for comment.