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The military in Zimbabwe appears to have seized power from long-serving President Robert Mugabe going by events reported on Wednesday.
However, in a televised message through state television, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday, army generals denied staging a coup, but vowed to deal with "criminals" close to President Mugabe.
This comes amid reports that military vehicles blocked roads outside the country's Parliament in the capital, Harare on Wednesday.
"We wish to assure the nation that his excellency the president... and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed," Major General Sibusiso Moyo said, slowly reading out a statement.
"We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes... As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy." Moyo said adding, "this is not a military takeover of government".
On Tuesday, ruling Zanu-PF party in a statement accused army chief General Constantino Chiwenga of "treasonable conduct" following his criticism on President Mugabe's decision to fire Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa's dismissal is seen to be a scheme to position Mugabe's wife Grace, as the possible heir of her husband as the next head of state.
75-year-old Mnangagwa is one of President Mugabe's most loyal lieutenants, having been his right hand man for decades.
United States and United Kingdom urged their citizens in the Zimbabwean capital to remain indoors because of “political uncertainty.”
“U.S. citizens in Zimbabwe are encouraged to shelter in place until further notice,” the U.S. statement said. The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office said; “nationals currently in Harare to remain safely at home or in their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer
The army also took control of ruling party Zanu-PF's official Twitter handle and, in a series of tweets, confirmed President Mugabe and his family had been detained.
"Zimbabwe has not had a coup. There has been a decision to intervene because our constitution had been undermined, in the interim Comrade E Mnagngawa will be president of ZANU PF as per the constitution of our revolutionary organisation," a tweet reads.
"Last night the first family was detained and are safe, both for the constitution and the sanity of the nation this was necessary. Neither Zimbabwe nor ZANU are owned by Mugabe and his wife. Today begins a fresh new era and comrade Mnangagwa will help us achieve a better Zimbabwe," another tweet read.
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I disagree! I have friends from Zimbabwe who have lost their properties to the govt, it's even impossible to send remittances to support their families back home without the gov't getting the biggest piece of the cake. Yes, Mr Mugabe was a Marxist guerrilla who came to power in 1980 after the country won its independence from Britain. Mr Mugabe made a promising start—calling for reconciliation with white Zimbabweans, and improving access to education and health care for all. But his early policies were overshadowed by what followed. To support the cost of various schemes, Mr Mugabe overspent wildly—a practice he has continued throughout his administration. And as he clung to power over the decades his rule became autocratic, undemocratic and oppressive. This has all caused typical forms of suffering. But the way in which Mr Mugabe has brought Zimbabwe to its knees is through gross economic mismanagement. Zimbabwe can't even feed themselves yet their land was once prosperous.
Thanks for clarification. @Guest 1 is a liar and needs medical help ASAP.
Correction: FACTS. 1. If it was NOT for Robert Mugabe, Coloniasts would still be Ruling Zimbabwe. 2. If it was NOT for Robert Mugabe, Zimbabweans would NOT have gotten their LAND back. 3.If Robert Mugabe was Jomo Kenyatta, he would have GRABBED Lots of Colonial and Native Land for Him and His Family. But he did NOT Grab; he GAVE it back to the PEOPLE of Zimbabwe (and was Still Doing it). Long Live Mugabe!!!
Mugambe has done great for Zibambwe, however he is still an African leader, drunk with power and never willing to allow democracy to take root, so the army should remove him and his wife from office and allow for free fair and credible election to take place in Zibambwe, And by the way same should HOLD for Kenya.
Poor Mugabe he forgot about the pact he made with his veterans when fighting for Zim independence.It is called the bros before whores pact.His brothers aka male buddies have decided to take over they do not approve of the madam That is the way to do it enough of one family ruling forever Goodluck Zimbabwe hope it all works out
The mentally dead people of Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, and Angola should wake up and get rid of the hyenas, roaches, rats, thieves, murderers, and thugs pretending to be "leaders" of their countries. We adopted two decadent constructs from our brothers and sisters from Europe known as "democracy and christianity." These two crooked systems will ruin, destroy and finish up the continent and the people of Africa!
Poor man. After all that power mad rule, this is how he ends up? I feel sorry for him though, his hate for the white people blinded his core responsibilities for his folks. Despite this, Zims should respect his age and not humiliate him this way.
You are right Sukari. He should have borrowed a page from States man Mandela.
"Today's oppressed, tomorrows oppressors"
The opulent life of Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe:
FACT. 1.If it was NOT for Robert Mugabe, Coloniasts would still be Ruling Zimbabwe. 2.If it was for Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwans would NOT have gotten their LAND back. 3.If Robert Mugabe was Jomo Kenyatta, he would have GRABBED Lots of Colonial and Native Land for Him and His Family. But he did NOT Grab; he GAVE it back to the PEOPLE of Zimbabwe. Long Live Mugabe!!!