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It was not clear Wednesday where Mnangagwa was, though he fled the country last week citing threats to him and his family.

Armed soldiers in armoured personnel carriers stationed themselves at key points in Harare, while Zimbabweans formed long lines at banks in order to draw the limited cash available, a routine chore in the country’s ongoing financial crisis. People looked at their phones to read about the army takeover and others went to work or to shops.

Photo by DEWA MAVHINGA/AFP/Getty Images

In an address to the nation after taking control of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Major General Sibusiso Moyo said early Wednesday the military is targeting “criminals” around Mugabe, and sought to reassure the country that order will be restored.

Mugabe and his wife appeared to be in the custody of the military. “Their security is guaranteed,” Moyo said.

“We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover,” he said. “We are only targeting criminals around (Mugabe) who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice.”

Moyo added “as soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.” The army spokesman called on churches to pray for the nation. He urged other security forces to “co-operate for the good of our country,” warning that “any provocation will be met with an appropriate response.”

Photo by AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

Photo by AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

All troops were ordered to return to barracks immediately, with all leave cancelled, said Moyo. The broadcast was sent out from the ZBC headquarters in Pocket’s Hill near Harare’s Borrowdale suburb.