By Dorcas Rumano

MDC-T Deputy President, Obert Gutu has asserted that violent protests will never effect regime change in Zimbabwe, saying that those with such thinking should consider having a mental examination.

Gutu slammed the MDC-A planned protest which is scheduled for this coming Friday.

Posting on his official twitter handle, Gutu tweeted that, “Regime change won't happen in Zimbabwe. Anyone who dreams that a barren, ideologically bankrupt, corrupt and puppet rag tag political formation will take over power after staging a violent, alcohol and drug-induced uprising is obviously overdue for a psychiatric examination.”

In addition, Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) party led by Linda Masarira-Kaingidza distanced itself from the planned demonstration saying it was not only poorly organised, but it also lacked clarity of purpose.

In an article titled, ‘Linda Masarira’s LEAD Distances Self From August 16 Demo,’ its Secretary General, Sydney Muyambi said their party believes that the realization and protection of the freedom of the masses in Zimbabwe is an objective even larger than the attainment of electoral justice.

He added that in any State, the authority of the Government can only derive from the will of the people as expressed in genuine, free and fair elections held at regular intervals on the basis of universal, equal and secret suffrage.

Commenting on the issue of the demonstrations, Masarira-Kaingidza said there is a voice of a mother still mourning after she lost a loved one during the last demonstrations.

She said, “We all know that when the elephants fight the grass suffers. Spare a thought for these women who have been victims of past violent demonstrations.”

The previous protests that were held by MDC-A were violent. The protests were condemned by many people as there were associated with looting of shops, burning of vehicles and destruction of infrastructure.