Photos: Military seizes power in Zimbabwe, denies coup against Mugabe

Soldiers deployed across the Zimbabwe capital Harare and seized the state broadcaster on Wednesday after 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party accused the head of the military of treason. The military has so far denied a coup.

Updated on: Nov 15, 2017 2:38 PM IST

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Soldiers patrol the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe on November 15, 2017. Military vehicles took to the streets of the Zimbabwe’s capital and prolonged gunfire was heard near the presidential residence early on Wednesday as questions mounted over Robert Mugabe’s grip on power, even as the army denied a coup. (Philimon Bulawayo / REUTERS)

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General Constantino Chiwenga, Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces addresses the media on November 13, 2017. Zimbabwe’s ruling party ZANU-PF on Tuesday responded to Chiwenga challenging President Mugabe over the sacking of the vice president in a statement that said criticism was “clearly calculated to disturb national peace... and suggests treasonable conduct on his part as this was meant to incite insurrection.” (Jekesai Njikizana / AFP)

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A military tank is seen with armed soldiers on the road leading to President Mugabe’s office in Harare. The military has detained finance minister Ignatius Chombo after seizing power in an attempt to root out “criminals” around President Mugabe who it said were causing social and economic suffering, a government source said. (Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi / AP)

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President Mugabe and his wife Grace attend a rally of his ruling ZANU-PF party on November 8, 2017. Mugabe last week fired vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa accusing him of plotting to take power, including through witchcraft. Earlier this year the country was gripped by a bizarre spat between Grace and Mnangagwa that included an alleged ice-cream poisoning incident. (Philimon Bulawayo / REUTERS)

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Armed soldiers search a vehicle on the road leading to President Mugabe’s office. The military today guaranteed the judiciary its independence, saying it will protect the civil service and urged other security services to “cooperate for the good of our country,” warning that “any provocation will be met with an appropriate response.” (Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi / AP)

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The army said in a statement after taking over the state broadcaster that it was not a coup, with Major General Sibusiso Moyo denying targeting the 93-year-old Mugabe. “It is not a military takeover of government,” Moyo said, adding: “We wish to assure the nation that his excellency the president... and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.” (ZBC via AP)

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People walk in a market in the Zimbabwean capital Harare on November 15, 2017. Frustration has been growing in once-prosperous Zimbabwe as the economy collapsed under Mugabe. The country was shaken last year by the biggest anti-government protests in a decade, and a once-loyal war veterans association turned on the president, calling him “dictatorial” and blaming him for the economic crisis. (Jekesai Njikizana / AFP)