Police block demo, as Grace Mugabe descends on Gwanda

Police in Gwanda have, for the second time in a week, banned local residents from marching on Friday in protest over the worsening water situation because First Lady Grace Mugabe will be visiting the mining town on the same day.

The police first barred Gwanda residents from taking to the streets last Wednesday, saying they had gathered intelligence showing the planned march would turn violent.

Police further said the application by the Gwanda Residents' Association (GRA) did not meet the seven-day waiting period, forcing the association to make another application for October 28.

In a letter to GRA, Superintendent Stephen Mutema said the police will be "overstretched" this Friday.