Zimbabwe’s military seized broadcaster, claims “action against criminals” denies coup


nsnbc : Heavy gunfire and artillery were heard in the suburbs of Harare as the military of Zimbabwe has read out a statement after taking over the national broadcaster ZBZ, saying it has taken action to target criminals. The military also claims it was not a takeover of government and that President Robert Mugabe was safe.

Zimbabwe military_Mojo_Nov 2017Heavy gunfire and artillery fire were heard in the northern suburbs of the Zimbabwean capital Harare early Wednesday morning as the country’s military seized the state broadcaster ZBC and read out the statement. The country and the region is rife with rumors and speculation. However, Zimbabwe’s envoy to South Africa, Isaac Moyo, earlier dismissed talk of a coup, claiming the government was intact. The military’s statement, read out by Major General Sibusiso Moyo, came hours after soldiers overran the headquarters of ZBC. Moyo said:

“We wish to assure the nation that his excellency the president… and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed. … We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes… that are causing social and economic suffering in the country. As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.”

The statement did not specify who was being targeted by the military and it is currently not clear who exactly is leading the military action. Other key points of the statement read out by Moyo included that citizens should remain calm and limit unnecessary movement; That the independence of the Zimbabwean judiciary was guaranteed – if it ever was -; That security forces were expected to “cooperate for the good of our country”, and that “any provocation will be met with an appropriate response”. The statement also stressed that all leave for defense forces was cancelled and that personnel should return to barracks immediately.

Armored vehicles were seen taking up positions on roads outside Harare on Tuesday

Armored vehicles were seen taking up positions on roads outside Harare on Tuesday

The UK Foreign Office advised Britons “currently in Harare to remain safely at home on their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer”. The U.S. Embassy in Harare tweeted that it would be closed on Wednesday “due to uncertainty”. The Embassy also advised U.S. citizens in Harare to “shelter in place” until further notice.

Alex Magaisa, former adviser to Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, told the British State broadcaster  BBC he believes the military’s claim that they haven’t carried out a coup is untrue. “They have decided not to call it a coup because they know that a coup does not sell, it will be condemned,” Magaisa said, adding that “as far as authority is concerned it seems very clear that President Mugabe is now just a president in name and authority is now residing in the military.”

Speculations that it is indeed a military coup that is going on and that President Mugabe either has been deposed or is now being controlled by the military are being substantiated by the developments that preceded the military’s sudden “initiative”.

Army General Constantino Chiwenga warned of a military takeover

Army General Constantino Chiwenga warned of a military takeover

The events on Wednesday morning came only hours after Zimbabwe’s ruling party accused the country’s army chief of “treasonable conduct” after he warned of possible military intervention. General Constantino Chiwenga had challenged 93-year-old President Mugabe after he sacked the vice-president. General Chiwenga said the army was prepared to act to end purges within Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party.

Tensions were raised further on Tuesday when armored vehicles were seen taking up positions on roads outside Harare, although their purpose was unclear. Staff at the ZBC broadcaster were reportedly manhandled when soldiers took over their offices in Harare late on Tuesday evening. Workers there reported that they were told that they “should not worry”. Gun- and artillery fire was heard near President Mugabe’s residence in the suburb of Borrowdale early on Wednesday.

Mugabe sacked Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week, amid a row over succession. Mnangagwa had previously been seen as an heir to the president, but First Lady Grace Mugabe is now the clear front-runner. Rivalry between Mrs Mugabe and Mr Mnangagwa has split the ruling Zanu-PF. Last month, “the first lady” warned of a possible coup plot, saying allies of Mnangagwa were threatening the lives of those who didn’t support him.

Grace Mugabe promoted as possible successor of what would become an allegedly socialist Zanu-PF "family dynasty".

Grace Mugabe promoted as possible successor of what would become an allegedly socialist Zanu-PF “family dynasty”.

The Zanu-PF party said Gen Chiwenga’s comments were “calculated to disturb national peace… [and] incite insurrection”. The party said it would never succumb to military threats, and that it “reaffirms the primacy of politics over the gun”. The leader of Zanu-PF’s youth wing, Kudzai Chipanga, said the general did not have the full support of the entire military. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday he also said “It is our country and future at stake and we will not let any individual military man interfere with the leader of the party and legitimately voted president of this country”.

General Chiwenga’s first public warning of possible military intervention came on Monday at a news conference at army headquarters where he was surrounded by senior army officers. He said the “purging” within Zanu-PF was “clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background”, referring to the country’s struggle for freedom from white minority rule. … We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in,” he said.

CH/L – nsnbc 15.11.2017



Source Article from https://nsnbc.me/2017/11/15/87108/

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes