Mugabe 'fine' as Army takes control of Zimbabwe

Last updated: November 15, 2017 at 10:49 am

Zimbabwe’s military has seized control of the country but has declared that President Robert Mugabe is ‘safe’.

Earlier gunfire and loud bangs were heard near his home. Artillery fire could be heard in the north of the capital Harare.

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has spoken to Mugabe and said he "was confined to his home but said that he was fine".

An envoy will be sent from South Africa to speak to both sides.

General Constantino Chiwenga, commander of Zimbabwe's defence forces, said: "To both our people and the world beyond our borders, we wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover of government."

The Associated Press is reporting that all police currently on leave have been ordered to return to their posts immediately.

Mugabe, 93, has been in power since 1980, the only leader independent Zimbabwe has known. There has been no word from him since the so-called coup.

Unconfirmed reports state that Emmerson Mnangagwa, deputy to Mugabe until he was recently sacked, is behind the latest developments.

Due to ongoing uncertainty in Zimbabwe, the U.S. Embassy in Harare will be minimally staffed and closed to the public on November 15.  Embassy personnel will continue to monitor the situation closely. @StateDept

— U.S. Embassy Harare (@usembassyharare) November 15, 2017

There had been discontent that Mnangagwa's removal was paving the way for the president's 52-year-old wife Grace to succeed him.

An opposition MP has told the media that he believes the first lady has fled to Namibia.

A member of the armed forces spoke to the Zimbabwean people on state TV: "Comrade 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."