'We're not party to the demonstrations,' say residents

The newly established Gwanda Residents Association has distanced itself from the MDC T proposed nationwide demonstrations to push the ruling ZANU PF party to deliver on its election manifesto.

This revelation comes contrary to media reports claiming that the Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC T has mobilised urban Residents Associations to rally behind the opposition party's proposed demonstrations.

In an interview the Spokesperson of the Gwanda Residents Association Mr Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo outrightly threw away the suggestion that the Association will be leading the residents into the demonstrations.

"We can never be party to politically led demonstrations, our constitution does not allow for that," he said.

"Under no circumstances shall we ever be found leading residents into political parties battles. The MDC T has not formally approached us in that regard and my advice to them is not to even bother because our agenda is specific in that regard."

"We will not even consult our members on that but that does not block anyone living in Gwanda to join the demonstrations in their own capacity, its well within their constitutional rights," added Fuzwayo.

The Gwanda Residents Association is amongst several other associations that have disassociated themselves from the media reports. The country's most influential and biggest residents grouping, the Harare Residents Trust was the first to refuse to back the demonstrations.

In its statement, the Harare Residents Trust said that it will never participate in demonstrations led by politicians and on a political agenda. The Trust urged people lobbying residents to participate not to lobby in the name of the Trust.

Former Prime Minister Tsvangirai has vowed to lead in front the mass public demonstrations to push ZANU PF to provide the 2.2 million jobs it promised in its election manifesto.