Mugabe detention sparks coup rumors
Zimbabwe military controls capital but denies staging coup
HARARE— Zimbabwe’s Army took President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace in custody, secured government offices and patrolled the capital’s streets following a night of unrest. The action triggered speculation of a coup, but the military’s supporters praised it as “bloodless correction.” Their security is guaranteed, a military officer said.
HARARE— Zimbabwe’s Army said on Wednesday that it had President Robert Mugabe and his wife in custody and was 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.”
Stationed at key points
Soldiers in armored personnel carriers stationed themselves at key points in Harare.
In an address to the nation after taking control of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, an Army spokesperson said the military was targeting “criminals” around Mugabe, who had ruled since independence from white minority rule in 1980.
It was not clear where Mugabe, 93, and his wife Grace, 52, were being held on Wednesday.
“Their security is guaranteed,” Army commander Gen. Constantino Chiwenga said.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover,” the Army statement said. “We are only targeting criminals around (Mugabe) who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country.”
The Army urged other security forces to “cooperate for the good of our country,” warning that “any provocation will be met with an appropriate response.”
Overnight, at least three explosions were heard in the capital, Harare.
‘Treasonable conduct’
Chiwenga had threatened on Monday to “step in” to calm political tensions.
Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF party responded by accusing the general of “treasonable conduct.”
But now, Chiwenga appears to be in control.
The Army has been praised by the nation’s war veterans for carrying out “a bloodless correction of gross abuse of power.”
The veterans are staunch allies of Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was fired from his post of vice president by Mu- gabe last week.
Mnangagwa fled Zimbabwe last week but said he would return to lead the country.
His dismissal left Grace Mugabe in prime position to succeed her husband as the next president, a succession strongly opposed by senior ranks in the military.—