May’s warning over Zimbabwe violence

THERESA May has called for an avoidance of violence in Zimbabwe, where president Robert Mugabe has been detained by the military following a night of unrest.

The Prime Minister said the situation in the southern African country was “fluid” and urged “restraint on all sides” as the army deployed at key strategic locations in the capital Harare and seized control of the state broadcaster.

She said the Government’s primary concern was the safety of UK nationals in the former British colony, and urged ex-pats in Harare to stay “safely at home” until the situation became clearer.

South African president Jacob Zuma said he had spoken to Mr Mugabe, stressing the 93-year-old was “fine” but confined to his home. Zimbabwe’s army said it also had his wife Grace in custody and were securing government offices, sparking suggestions of a coup, although its supporters have described the action as a “bloodless correction”.

At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Mrs May said: “We have all seen what has been taking place in Harare.

“We are monitoring developments very carefully. The situation is still fluid, and we would urge restraint on all sides because we want to see, and we would, call for an avoidance of violence. Our primary concern is the safety of British nationals in Zimbabwe.”