President Jacob Zuma on Thursday described the conditions at the Madelakufa informal settlement in Tembisa as "very bad".

"The situation here is very bad. As we've seen, the place is dirty," Zuma said during his unannounced visit to the informal settlement, east of Johannesburg.

"Like I've always said, those who are not working have no reason to remain in their positions," he said referring to councillors, who residents accused of neglecting them.

"We don't even know our councillors. The situation here is unbearable, but we are forced to live here in this dumpsite," Christina Maoka told Zuma.

Another resident, Zola Msimango complained about the allocation of houses and about police being hesitant to come when needed.

Water streamed down paths as Zuma, accompanied by chief operations officer in the presidency Jesse Duarte and Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, walked about the muddy area.

He was followed by a hundred screaming and ululating people, some pushing and shoving in attempt to get a glimpse of their president. Others just wanted to shake his hand. He stopped at a communal tap, which was flooded with water, and listened to residents' tales about the drainage pipes not working since their installation.

"The water is dirty. We've complained about it, but nothing gets done here. But we are grateful that you are here to witness it firsthand," said a resident.

Zuma said it was important for the government to know all issues at hand so it knew which to prioritise.

Other problems residents complained about to Zuma included unhealthy living conditions, a lot of taverns in the area, and an absence of electricity and proper sanitation.

Zuma said the fact that councillors were not addressing these problems almost 14 years since the informal settlement came into being, was a "serious problem".

He intended raising this with the ANC provincially and regionally and would engage in talks with MECs and the Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale about the issues raised.

Zuma also met with the station commissioner of the Tembisa police station, who he said produced crime statistics and highlighted some of its problems, including a lack of staff.

"Statistics indicate that crime has gone down a little bit, especially house robbery... There is a need for additional police and even a satellite police station in informal settlements, he said.