Military says 'as soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expet that the situation will return to normalcy'
Zimbabwe’s military says it has seized power to target “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe, who it said is “safe and sound” in custody with his wife.
The army said it was securing government offices and patrolling the capital’s streets, after a night of unrest which included a military takeover of the state broadcaster.
The action triggered speculation of a coup, but the military’s supporters praised it as a “bloodless correction”.
Latest updates
08:49 GMT
South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, has urged the government of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Defence Force to resolve the situation amicably.
08:38 GMT
Zimbabwe’s army has said it has President Robert Mugabe and his wife in custody and is securing government offices and patrolling the capital’s streets following a night of unrest that included a military takeover of the state broadcaster. The night’s action triggered speculation of a coup, but the military’s supporters praised it as a “bloodless correction”.
08:19 GMT
China said on Zimbabwe military chief General Constantino Chiwenga’s visit to the country last week was a normal military visit.
China is closely watching the situation in Zimbabwe and hopes the relevant parties can properly handle their internal affairs, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing.
08:10 GMT
Zimbabwe’s military have detained Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo after seizing power in an attempt to root out “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe who it said were causing social and economic suffering, a government source said.
08:09 GMT
British nationals warned to stay indoors as military assumes control of Zimbabwe
British nationals in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare are being advised to stay indoors amid reports of “unusual military activity”. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued the guidance in the early hours of Wednesday morning following political tensions in the African country.
07:50 GMT
In the wake of the military takeover, the national police has recalled all officers from leave.
All police on leave have been ordered to return to their posts immediately, a police official told The Associated Press.
07:47 GMT
Zimbabwe’s military said it had seized power in a targeted assault on “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe who were causing social and economic suffering, but gave assurances the 93-year-old leader and his family were “safe and sound”.
07:45 GMT
The military says it has seized power of the capital and has President Robert Mugabe and his wife in custody.
It said it is securing government offices and patrolling the capital’s streets following a night of unrest.
07:45 GMT
Good morning, welcome to The Independent’s live blog on the latest updates from Zimbabwe.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover,” Zimbabwe Major General SB Moyo, Chief of Staff Logistics, said on television.
“We are only targeting criminals around [Mr Mugabe] who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice.
“As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.”
Neither Mr Mugabe nor his wife Grace, who has been vying to succeed her husband as president, have been seen or heard from.
At least three explosions were heard in the capital, Harare, overnight, and military vehicles were seen in the streets.
The US Embassy closed to the public on Wednesday and encouraged citizens to shelter in place, citing “the ongoing political uncertainty through the night.”
The British Embassy issued a similar warning, citing “reports of unusual military activity.”
I hope the new leaders will kick that demonic Mengistu out of their country. The blood of more than 150,000 victims has been crying to The Almighty Our Creator for decades now. I hope they will ship his blood soaked behind all the way to The Hague at least or even to Asmara. Isaias will do a quick job with him.