Zimbabwe’s army has seized control of the country and reportedly placed president Robert Mugabe under house arrest. The Zimbabwe Defence Force insisted it had not carried out a coup, describing the apparent takeover as a targeting of ‘criminals’ surrounding the 93-year-old president. Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s president, said he has spoken to Mugabe ‘who indicated that he was confined to his home but said that he was fine’. Mugabe’s wife, Grace, has reportedly fled the country.
It is believed tensions surrounding a possible power grab by Grace Mugabe could have led to the military action overnight, which saw roads in the capital, Harare, blocked by tanks and armoured vehicles. Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo, who is one of the First Lady’s key allies, is reportedly among those who have been detained.
Mugabe also sparked a rift with the country’s army last week by firing his vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, having accused him of a plot to take control.
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