Mugabe in custody as army takes control in Zimbabwe Military vehicles roll into the capital, triggering speculation of a "bloodless" coup.

Image: Robert Mugabe is reportedly 'safe' after gunfire reported near his presidential compound

The Zimbabwean army has said president Robert Mugabe and his wife have been taken into custody after gunfire was heard near his compound and troops seized control of the state broadcaster.

Loud explosions were heard in Harare in the early hours of Wednesday after military vehicles rolled into the capital, triggering speculation of a "bloodless" coup.

The blasts and gunfire came hours after a military chief warned the army could "step in" amid a political crisis sparked by 93-year-old Mr Mugabe firing his vice president - and likely successor - Emmerson Mnangagwa earlier this month.

Army chief: This is not a military takeover

General Constantino Chiwenga, commmander of Zimbabwe's defence forces, had demanded an end to a purge in the ruling ZANU-PF party - which appeared to be paving the way for Mr Mugabe's 52-year-old wife Grace to succeed him.

In a statement read on state TV, Major General Sibusiso Moyo said: "Comrade Mugabe and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.


"We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country, in order to bring them to justice."

The Zimbabwe military said on Wednesday that Mr Mugabe and his wife were in custody and it was securing government offices and patrolling the streets of Harare.

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General Chiwenga - who Mr Mugabe had accused of treason for his intervention - said: "We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover of government.

"What the defence forces are doing is to pacify a degenerating political social and economic situation in our country, which if not addressed may result in a violent conflict."

Soldiers in armoured personnel carriers and tanks have been stationed at key locations in the capital, including government buildings.

The military has also taken control of a paramilitary police armoury and disarmed police officers there, Reuters reported.

'We are only targeting criminals around Mugabe'

It is unclear where Mr Mugabe and his wife Grace are being held, but they appear to be in the custody of the military.

Supporters of the Zimbabwean military have insisted it is a "bloodless correction of gross abuse of power".

Chris Mutsvangwa, chairman of the war veterans' association, said the military will return Zimbabwe to "genuine democracy" and make it a "modern model nation".

An armoured personnel carrier stationed by an intersection as Zimbabwean soldiers regulate traffic in Harare ▲ Military vehicles took to the streets of the Zimbabwean capital and prolonged gunfire was heard near the presidential residence ▲ People queue to draw money outside a bank in Harare ▲ Soldiers on the streets in Harare. Continue through for more pictures ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

Opposition leader Tendai Biti told Sky News a transitional authority is needed to secure a road map to democracy.

He said: "If it flaps like a duck, waggles like a duck, then it's a duck. This is a coup, there's no question about that.

"We condemn the extra-legal extraction of power from an elected civilian authority, but having said that we must acknowledge the deep structural underlying causes that would have led the army to do what they are doing now, whether it's pacification or whatever lipstick or mascara they might want to put on (it).

"This is Robert Mugabe's Waterloo and he must accept that. I pray the army do not harm him, I pray that they give him free passage if he wants to leave Zimbabwe."

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A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We advise any British national in Zimbabwe who may be concerned to monitor our travel advice for changes."

The US State Department urged its citizens to shelter in place during the crisis.

South African President Jacob Zuma said he hoped the intervention would not lead to "unconstitutional changes of Government".

Image: Part of what has been described as a convoy of vehicles near Harare

Mr Mnangagwa, 75, a veteran of the liberation wars, fled to South Africa after he was ousted on 6 November - with President Mugabe accusing him of plotting against the government.

Mr Mugabe is the only leader Zimbabwe has known in 37 years of independence.