Zimbabwe crisis: Army Takes Over Power As Millitary Arrest Mugabe

Maj Gen Sibusiso Moyo read out a statement on national TV early on Wednesday

 The Zimbabwean military has seized power from President Mugabe, the worlds oldest head of state in what has been described as a ''bloodless transition''.

After seizing the state TV, ZBC, two army uniformed officials announced that they are targeting people close to Mr Mugabe who had caused social and economic suffering.

We are only targetting criminals around him who are committing crimes that sre causing social and economic suffering the country imn order to bring them to justice'' said Gen. S.B. Moyo, the chief of army staff.

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A statement read out by a general on air denied it was a coup and said Mr Mugabe and his family are safe, but did not reveal where they are.

The television announcement came after a long night of rumours from Harare of possible coup. Heavy gun and artillery fire could be heard in northern parts of the capital Harare early on Wednesday.

Mr Mugabe, 93, has been the president of Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980.

The UK Foreign Office advised Britons currently in Harare to remain safely at home or indoors until the situation becomes calms, while the US embassy in Harare advised US citizens in Zimbabwe to shelter in place until further notice.

Soldiers at the headquarters of the ZBC broadcaster after armoured vehicles took up position on roads around Harare on Tuesday.

Armoured vehicles were seen taking up positions on roads outside Harare on Tuesday

 The army has warned that Citizens should remain calm and limit unnecessary movement for the mean time.
The military assured the Zimbabwean judiciary that its independence is guaranteed.
Security services are to "co-operate for the good of our country" and any provocation would "be met with an appropriate response".
All leave for the defence forces has been cancelled and personnel returned to barracks immediately.

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It is not clear who is leading the military action. Army chief Gen Constantino Chiwenga had said the army was prepared to act to end purges within the ruling Zanu-PF party.

A government source said that the Finance Minister, Ignatius Chombo had been detained.

He is a leading member of a faction of Zanu-PF led by Mr Mugabe's wife Grace.

Alex Magaisa, former adviser to Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, said he believed the military's claim that they hadn't carried out a coup was untrue.

General Chiwenga

"They have decided not to call it a coup because they know that a coup does not sell, it will be condemned," he said.

"But as far as authority is concerned it seems very clear that President Mugabe is now just a president in name and authority is now residing in the military."

Zanu-PF had accused Gen Chiwenga of "treasonable conduct" after he issued his warning that he army might intervene.

Some staff at ZBC were manhandled when the soldiers moved in, sources told said. Workers were told that they "should not worry", a source added, and that soldiers were only there to protect the site.

The feud was said to have begun after Mr Mugabe sacked Mr Mnangagwa last week, amid a row over succession.

Mr Mnangagwa had previously been seen as an heir to the president, but First Lady Grace Mugabe had since become the clear front-runner.

Grace Mugabe and to her elderly husband

The move was clearly seen as making way for Mugabe's wife, Grace, 52, who has been amassing growing political influence in the past two years to suceed her aging husband whose health has visibly declined in recent times.

The rivalry between Mrs Mugabe and Mr Mnangagwa has split Zanu-PF.

Since his removal, not much has been heard of his whereabouts.
Last month, Mrs Mugabe had warned of a possible coup plot, saying allies of Mr Mnangagwa were threatening the lives of those who didn't support him.

The party said it would never succumb to military threats, and that it "reaffirms the primacy of politics over the gun".