The notorious "poo throwers" marched through the streets of Cape Town's city centre yesterday, but were no match for police, who fired stun grenades into the crowd and arrested 12 protesters, forcing the rest to flee.

The protesters are part of the Ses'khona People's Rights Movement, which is led by expelled ANC councillors Andile Lilli and Loyiso Nkohla.

The protesters had planned to march to DA leader Helen Zille's offices, as a follow-up to last year's march, handing her a memorandum complaining about standards of housing and sanitation.

The provincial legislature building was cordoned off by police, as were parts of Wale Street.

Some shops in Adderley Street were also briefly closed as owners feared the protesters might damage their property or loot.

The Cape Town train station 's ticketing centre was also briefly closed as police jostled with protesters singing struggle songs at the entrance.

Protesters vowed to intensify their protests until Zille spoke to them .

"We want her [Zille] to come and talk to us. We are not going to leave here," said Thuli Dudumashe.

Cape Town police spokesman Frederick van Wyk confirmed that 12 people had been arrested.

He said they would be charged with taking part in an illegal march.

Mayoral committee for safety and security member Jean-Pierre Smith said the city would not hesitate to take legal action against protest leaders.

"We are in the process of taking civil action against them for the last [round of protest].

"We are suing them in the civil court because, if you make a case against them in a criminal court, these cases [often] fall apart," he said.

The group was dubbed the poo throwers after they emptied bucketsful of sewage outside the main entrance to the provincial legislature, at the airport and on the N2 highway last year.