We are targeting criminals, not Mugabe, says Army

Zimbabwe’s military has taken over control of the country but the army generals said they have not staged  a coup yet and that President Robert Mugabe is safe.
According to reports, the generals used state television on Tuesday night to vow to target “criminals” close to Mugabe.
Mugabe’s decades-long grip on power was dramatically weakened as military vehicles blocked roads outside the parliament in Harare and senior soldiers delivered a late-night
television address to the nation.
“We wish to assure the nation that his excellency the president… and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed,” Major General Sibusiso Moyo said, slowly reading out a statement.
“We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes… As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.”
Moyo said “this is not a military takeover of government”.
As the situation deteriorated overnight, prolonged gunfire was heard near Mugabe’s private residence.
The US embassy warned its citizens in the country to “shelter in place” due to “ongoing political uncertainty”.
Armoured vehicles in the capital alarmed residents as Chiwenga had warned of possible military intervention.
The army’s spokesman was not available to comment.
NAN