Zimbabwe Army Takes Control But Denies Coup

Harare, MINA – Zimbabwe’s military has seized state TV and blocked off access to government offices in the capital Harare.

In a televised address early on Wednesday morning, military spokesperson, Major General SB Moyo, said the army was seeking to “pacify a degenerating, social, and economic situation” in the country.

Moyo denied that the army was carrying out a coup against President Robert Mugabe’s government and said the leader and his family were “safe and sound and their safety is guaranteed”, Al Jazeera was quoting by MINA as reporting.

“We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country, in order to bring them to justice” he said, as tanks surrounded parliamentary and presidential buildings.

The army spokesperson said that once the military’s objectives have been achieved, the situation in the country would return to normal, before urging Zimbabweans to continue with their lives as usual.

Moyo also called on political parties to “discourage” their members from turning to violence. (T/RI-1/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)