Military tanks were seen heading towards Zimbabwe’s capital Harareon Tuesday, 24 hours from the barracks after army chief, Gen Constantino Chiwenga, warned President Robert Mugabe of takeover. Zimbabwean General Constantino Chiwenga threatened a military coup on Monday, one week after Mugabe dismissed Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa.
The vice president had been seen as the 93-year-old president’s probably successor prior to his firing. Zimbabwe has been independent for 37 years, and Mugabe has been its only president in all that time. Mnangagwa was a veteran of the nation’s liberation wars during the 1970s, and he was popular with the Zimbabwean military. Because of this, a Zimbabwe military coup could indeed be imminent because, according to Reuters.
Mnangagwa’s firing is being viewed as part of Mugabe’s alleged plan to make his wife Grace, whose 52 years old, his successor. Mugabe has been gradually getting rid of other leaders who were also key players in securing the nation’s independence.
He also challenged Mugabe just before his sack, where he defiantly told him that the party was “not personal property for you and your wife to do as you please”. Eyewitnesses told reporters that military vehicles were also blocking major roads outside the city. Local media also reported that heavily armed military personnel had sealed off state TV broadcaster ZBC.
“The current purging, which is clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background, must stop forthwith,” Chiwenga had told a media conference at military headquarters. We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in”.
The army boss added that the infighting in the party was damaging the country’s economy. “There is distress, trepidation and despondence within the nation,” he continued. “As a result of the squabbling, there has been no meaningful development in the country for the past five years.”
