'Down with those in Parliament'

Strong anti-government sentiment was evident at a housing protest outside Parliament's main gate in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Residents of the city's problem-ridden N2 Gateway housing project had marched on the institution to bring their grievances about high rentals and poor construction to the attention of Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

The small but vociferous group of about 200 tenants held aloft posters proclaiming, among other things, "No Answer, No Vote" and "Gateway: Money-making project for MPs".

Protesters cheered loudly after being told by one speaker that MPs sat in the National Assembly because of their votes, and "it is easy for us to take them out of Parliament".

More loud cheers rose to a chant of "Down with African National Congress policies and systems, down!" and "Down with the millionaires of this Cabinet!".

One speaker took a swipe at President Thabo Mbeki, saying he lived in a R22-million house, while they had to rent.

"What a disgrace" he told the angry tenants.

Another said MPs had "used our people as a step-ladder to get where they are today".

"Down with those in Parliament, forward with the masses," he called.

Earlier, N2 Gateway tenant's committee spokesperson Luthando Ndabambi told Sapa the N2 Gateway project dwellings were in a bad condition, with "structural defects, leaks and no ventilation".

Residents also had to pay too much rent, he said.

"Originally it was agreed rentals would be between R150 and R590 a month, but this was changed - without notification or consultation - to between R500 and R1050 a month."

The aim of the protest was to bring the matter to Sisulu's attention, and hand over a memorandum containing a list of grievances.

The memorandum - a copy of which was obtained by Sapa - pleads with Sisulu to "reconsider the rent issue... reducing it to an affordable level... with an option to own".

Ndabambi said the committee represented well over a thousand tenants from 704 units in the development.

In June, responding to a call by some residents for rent payments to be suspended until construction defects were put right, Sisulu reportedly advised them to "give a month notice, pack their bags and make way for people who are willing to pay".

N2 Gateway project general manager Xanthi Sigcawu told Sapa later on Tuesday that all tenants in the development had been interviewed before moving in, and had signed contracts agreeing to pay rent.

It was not true rents had been raised after this.

"They were all interviewed; they knew exactly how much they would have to pay. They signed a contract... What we are saying is if they can't afford the rent, they must move out," he said. - Sapa