JOHANNESBURG: President Jacob Zuma visited a shantytown outside Johannesburg and vowed to improve public services to defuse anger that has erupted into protests ahead of the World Cup.

Zuma's trip Friday to the Madelakufa squatter camp east of Johannesburg was part of three weeks of "monitoring and evaluation visits," which appear aimed at reassuring the public that he is addressing their concerns.

"We are going to start work," said Zuma, speaking in Zulu, as thousands of people turned out to see him walking between shacks on muddy paths.

"I am here today to say we're going to fulfill the promises of government," he added.

"Those who are not doing their job, must get out. Even myself, if I don't do my job, you can take me out of my position."

Accompanying the president were several cabinet ministers -- including those in charge of energy, public works, and social development -- whom he introduced to the residents.

"Those things you are complaining about, these people are responsible," he said, as the ministers promised water for 100 houses by November, a new police station, and new housing for people now living in shacks and tents.

Zuma swept to the presidency in last year's elections on the back of promises to improve services such as water, sewerage and electricity for the 43 per cent of the population living in poverty.

Since he took office in May, residents of South Africa's poorest neighbourhoods have staged sporadic and violent protests, including several this month around Johannesburg.

Some residents at the Madelakufa camp were sceptical that the government would deliver, saying there had been little concrete progress since Zuma's last visit.

"You see these toilets? He brought these toilets. That was the only thing. People need houses, jobs, land," said Sbusiso Lekhoana, a shantytown resident.

"I didn't see any change, but I'm still hoping there will be a change," said Zoliswa Booi, 26, who lives under a makeshift tent with her sister.

"We want to see our vote work. He promised us that we would get some jobs and some housing," the unemployed woman said.

Provincial officials this week worried that protesters in the townships could try to seize the World Cup spotlight to air their grievances.

"We know human nature: people will look for opportunity (to protest) so that we all panic," said Nomvula Mokonyane, premier of Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg.

Sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile told reporters on Friday that the public would have a right to protest during the World Cup, but said he was confident no one would try to disrupt the games.

"They have a right to make those protest marches and even threaten to disrupt the World Cup," he said.

"I'm absolutely convinced there is no right-thinking South African who will even try to disrupt the World Cup activities," he added.

For Zuma, the visits were an opportunity to turn the public's attention away from his personal life after revelations last month that he had fathered an out-of-wedlock child with the daughter of a top World Cup organiser.

The baby, his 20th child, sparked intense media scrutiny over his polygamous lifestyle and led to a motion of no-confidence in parliament on Thursday, which his ruling African National Congress easily defeated.

Residents in Madelakufa said they were less concerned with Zuma's sex life than with his promises to the nation.

"The president's personal life, we don't have anything against it," said Daniel Edwane, 20. "All we need is service delivery, a better life for all, as they promised."

- AFP/yb