Zimbabwe army takes control of Harare, denies coup

Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean military officers appeared on television in the early hours of Wednesday, making a statement after apparently taking control of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation in Harare.

Military spokesman Major General SB Moyo read out a statement from the army.

“Members of the defense forces: all leave is cancelled. All leave is cancelled. You are all to return to your barracks immediately. To our respected traditional leaders, you are the custodians of our customs, cultures, traditions and heritage. You must provide leadership and direction in your communities,” he said.

The announcement added that President Robert Mugabe and his family are safe but the army is “targeting criminals around him”, the Guardian reported on its website.

The latest events come after several military tanks and trucks were spotted heading towards the Zimbabwean capital Harare Tuesday, prompting fears of a possible coup or show of power by the army.

It also follows a statement by army generals urging Mugabe to cease purges within his ruling party or “the military would be forced to intervene”.

Reporting by Jeffrey Moyo