Coup in Zimbabwe?

[Bagor]

Tensions rose in Harare on Tuesday as armoured vehicles, military police and soldiers from Zimbabwe’s powerful military drove through the outskirts of the capital, a day after the head of the armed forces said he was prepared to “step in” to end a purge of supporters of sacked vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Witnesses in the city reported several lorries full of military personnel and at least six armoured vehicles on roads approaching the city in the late afternoon, though residents said there was no sign of troops in the centre of Harare, the airport, government broadcasters or the residence of president Robert Mugabe.

A second column of around a dozen vehicles was reported moving down the same road several hours later.

The deployments of military vehicles and soldiers led many to believe a coup was underway against Mugabe, the only leader Zimbabwe has known in 37 years of independence.

It is still unclear who ordered the military movement, though it comes amid an unprecedented challenge to the 93-year-old president from the armed forces.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...rts-of-capital

Tanks have been spotted heading towards Zimbabwe's capital Harare. Eyewitnesses said military vehicles were also blocking major roads outside the city.

Local media also reported that heavily armed military personnel had sealed off state TV broadcaster ZBC.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...-a8054141.html

On the other hand the Mugabe's party says nothing to see here.

ZANU PF‏ @zanu_pf
4h4 hours ago
Thanks for your concerns, there is NO coup happening in Zimbabwe. Please continue with your lives and face up to your own problems.

Hopefully this is finally the end for Mugabe although who knows what the replacement will be like?

[CaptainCrunch]

I wouldn't be too upset if Mugabe took a tank round to the face.

[PsYcNeT]

Feels like this is 20 years late.

[Bagor]

^That's worth about 50cents

I was there is 1996 and it was approx 20 Zim$ to a US$

[Northendzone]

does this mean my transfer of funds from the royal banc of zimbawae will be delayed?

[Kjesse]

I had no idea their currency was that bad. I just did the math, my 4 year old's bank account is worth 750 quadrillion zimbabwe dollars. Maybe its time to go on a holiday.

[FlameOn]

Zimbabwe military says it's taken control of Mugabe

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe’s military said early Wednesday that it had taken custody of President Robert Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state and one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, in what increasingly appeared to be a military takeover in the southern African nation.

After apparently seizing the state broadcaster, ZBC, two uniformed officers said in a short predawn announcement that “the situation in our country has moved to another level.” While denying that the military had seized power, they said that Mr. 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,” said the main speaker, who was identified as Maj. Gen. S. B. Moyo, the army’s chief of staff.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/14/w...-chiwenga.html

[Fuzz]

So does this sound like the military are working on Mugabe's behalf to suppress a potential coup by from his ministers or others in power?

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

So does this sound like the military are working on Mugabe's behalf to suppress a potential coup by from his ministers or others in power?

I don't think so. I think it's the real thing.

I believed the military supported/supports Mnangagwa, and his firing was the last straw. This was needed to keep Grace Mugabe's wife from consolidating her power as lately she's been making her play, and going to purge her rivals completely.

"Just days ago, it seemed Grace – 41 years Mugabe’s junior was winning a power struggle worthy of a Shakespearean tragedy to succeed the ailing 93-year-old president. "

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-downfall.html

[Fuzz]

Thanks, I know nothing about this one.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Thanks, I know nothing about this one.

I've just exhausted what I know.
Although I could have perhaps faked being knowledgeable on the matter until at least lunchtime.

[Playfair]

Mugabe is under house arrest.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41997982

[killer_carlson]

From my time backpacking in South Africa and learning about the challenges of the southern part of the continent, my understanding is that Mugabe is rumoured to have syphillis-on-the-brain for a number of years, or some other serious mental illness which turned his style of leadership into a brutal, heinous regime.

At one point he was said to have been progressive, leading a reconciliation process and following a path from jailed dissident to hailed leader. Then something happened and it all went to pot. Corruption, murder, violence, persecution/execution of homosexuals, and so on.

i'm surprised he's lasted this long.

[FlameOn]

Mugabe's wife has fled to Zambia.

Hopefully this marks the end of Mugabe and a transition to something a little better for the lives of regular Zimbabweans.

[CaptainCrunch]

It'll be worse, it always is

[killer_carlson]

Hopefully the international community seizes his wife's assets and investigates their legitimacy.

[undercoverbrother]

At the end of this I hope the people of Zimbabwe get a better life.


The country that was once call the Bread Basket of Africa has become a starving hellhole.


https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine...ountry/302845/

[FunkMasterFlame]

Rhodesia rises?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by FunkMasterFlame

Rhodesia rises?

Sure as #### hope not.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

At the end of this I hope the people of Zimbabwe get a better life.


The country that was once call the Bread Basket of Africa has become a starving hellhole.


https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine...ountry/302845/

"Mugabe and the White African" explains a lot about the destruction of the Zimbabwean farm system.
http://www.mugabeandthewhiteafrican.com/

Mind you, redistribution and sale of the land is fine, but only if it was appropriated for farming purposes and not just to Mugabe's cronies and left to fallow.