Commander accused of ‘treasonable conduct’

Zimbabwe’s ruling party has accused the country’s army commander of “treasonable conduct” for his threat to have the military step in and calm political turmoil.

The statement by ZanuPF says the unprecedented comments made a day earlier by army commander Constantino Chiwenga were “clearly calculated to disturb national peace and stability” and were “meant to incite insurrection”.

The statement comes hours after reporters saw three armoured personnel carriers with several soldiers in a convoy on a road heading toward an army barracks just outside the capital, Harare.

While it is routine for tanks to move along that route, the timing heightens unease in a country that for the first time is seeing an open rift between the military and 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe.

Tensions rose last week after Mr Mugabe fired his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had the military’s support.

Army commander Constantino Chiwenga