Zimbabweans face the uncertain future after president Robert Mugabe ‘confined to home’ after Zimbabwe military takes control.
Major General Sibusiso Moyo said late Tuesday that President Mugabe ‘…and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed,’ while the spokesperson for South African President Jacob Zuma said he had spoken to Mugabe who confirmed to him he had been “confined to his home”.
On Wednesday, Zimbabwe army took control of government offices and the state broadcaster, these actions triggered speculation of a coup, especially after the interview of a leader of Zimbabwe’s War Veterans Association for ITV News. During the conversation with journalists, he sais that military had removed Robert Mugabe.
At the same day, ex-prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai who always was Mugabe’s political rival has returned to the Zimbabwe. Obviously, that the politicians are looking for the figure who fills the vacuum created by the president’s detention.
African politics and Zimbabwean coup
Robert Mugabe’s era is over, his decades-long grip on power appeared to be slipping as armoured military vehicles blockaded parliament on Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, soldiers took up positions at strategic points across Harare and senior soldiers commandeered state television to broadcast a late-night address.
Many citizens in Harare carried on with their daily lives, despite the heavy military presence. In fact, nobody understands what is going on. The old people remember that the 93-year-old Mugabe is the only leader Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia, has known since independence from Britain. While the West regards him as an autocrat, some in Africa see him as an anti-colonial champion. Probably, his ruling era is over.
In an address to the nation after taking control of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, an army spokesman said the military was targeting “criminals” around Mugabe, and sought to reassure the country that order would be restored.
