Zimbabwe crisis: Army seizes broadcaster but denies coup
The Zimbabwean military has taken over the state broadcaster, telling citizens that President Robert Mugabe is “safe and sound” and his “security is guaranteed” amid rumours of an ongoing coup.
The army however denied that it is carrying out a coup even as
military activity in the streets continues to rise. “The situation in
our country has moved to another level,” the officers said on national
television, adding that “It is not a military takeover of government.”
“We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes
that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order
to bring them to justice…. Any provocation will be met with an
appropriate response,” the army’s chief of staff Maj. Gen. S. B. Moyo said in the broadcast.
“We are only targeting criminals around him and are committing crimes
that are causing social and economic suffering in the country, in order
to bring them to justice,” Moyo added.
Watch broadcast below:
The Canadian Embassy in the state has advised its citizens to “remain
indoors and monitor the media,” saying it will be closed today, November
15th.
There is increased military activity in Harare and the situation is tense. If you are in Harare, remain indoors and monitor the media. The Embassy will be closed November 15th.— Canada in Zimbabwe (@CanEmbZimbabwe) November 15, 2017
New York Times reports that “around
6 a.m. on Wednesday, taxis were running on the main roads leading to
central Harare and people seemed to be making their way to work. Some
soldiers could be seen on the main roads but were not stopping
commuters.”
Zimbabwe’s Army General Constantino Chiwenga had on
Monday, threatened that the military could “step in” to protect the
positions of ruling ZANU–PF members who fought to end UK’s rule over
Zimbabwe.
His comments were seen as a response to President Robert Mugabe‘s sacking of vice-president Emerson Mnangagwa, who previously served as the defence and state security minister and fourth in the liberation war.
Associated Press reports that head of the war veterans’ group Chris Mutsvangwa, in a statement backed Chiwenga’s action which he described as “a bloodless correction of gross abuse of power”.
Gunshots and explosions were heard in the streets of Harare hours before the takeover of the state broadcaster.
@AFP Close-up map of Harare showing the area where gunshots were heard near the presidential residence in the early hours of November 15.— AFP news agency (@AFP) November 15, 2017
Military takes to streets in Zimbabwe but denies coup https://t.co/7yQGTSja8u pic.twitter.com/u0h9L0aqqT
Read the military statement in full (as published by Guardian):
Good morning Zimbabwe.
Fellow Zimbabweans. Following the address we made on 13 November
2017, which we believe our main broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation and the Herald were directed not to publicise, the situation
in our country has moved to another level.
Firstly we wish to assure our nation, His Excellency, the president
of the republic of Zimbabwe and commander in chief of the Zimbabwe
Defence Forces, comrade R G Mugabe 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 in order
to bring them to justice.
As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.
To the civil servants, as you are aware there is a plan by the same
individuals to influence the current purging which is taking place in
the political sphere. To the civil service, we are against that act of
injustice and we intend to protect every one of you against that.
To the judiciary, the measures underway are intended to ensure that
as an independent arm of the state you are able to exercise your
independent authority without fear of being obstructed as has been the
case with this group of individuals.
To our members of parliament, your legislative role is of paramount
importance, of peace and stability in this country, and it is our desire
that a dispensation is created that allows you to serve your respective
political constituencies according to democratic tenants.
To the generality of the people of Zimbabwe, we urge you to remain
calm and limit unnecessary movement. However we encourage those who are
employed and those with essential business in the city to continue their
normal activities as usual. Our wish is that you will enjoy your rights
and freedoms and that we return our country to a dispensation that
allows for investment, development and prosperity that we all fought for
and for which many of our citizens paid the supreme sacrifice.
To political parties, we urge you to discourage your members from
engaging in violent behaviour. To the youth, we call upon you to realise
that the future of this country is yours. Do not be enticed with the
dirty coins of silver, be disciplined and remain committed to the
efforts and values of this great nation.
To all churches and religious organisations in Zimbabwe we call upon
your congregations to pray for our country and preach the gospel of
love, peace and unity and development. To both our people and the world
beyond our borders, we wish to make this abundantly clear this is not a
military takeover of government. What the Zimbabwe defence forces is
doing is to pacify a degenerating political, social and economic
situation in our country which if not addressed may result in violent
conflict.
We call upon all the war veterans to play a positive role in ensuring
peace, stability and unity in the country. To members of the Zimbabwe
Defence Forces, all leave is cancelled and you are all to return to your
barracks with immediate effect.
To the other security forces, we urge you to cooperate for the good
of our country. Let it be clear we intend to address the human security
threats in our country. Therefore any provocation will be met with an
appropriate response.
And to the media, we urge you to report fairly and responsibly.
We thank you.
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