Latest: President Jacob Zuma, in his capacity as Chair of SADC, is sending Special Envoys to Zimbabwe and Angola in light of the unfolding situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
News24
The President is sending the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the Minister of State Security, Adv Bongani Bongo to Zimbabwe to meet with President Robert Mugabe and the Zimbabwean Defence Force.
President Zuma spoke to President Robert Mugabe earlier today who indicated that he was confined to his home but said that he was fine. South Africa is also in contact with the Zimbabwean Defence Force (ZDF).
The Special Envoys will also be sent to the Republic of Angola to the Republic of Angola to see President Joao Lourenco, Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security to brief him on the situation.
President Zuma has reiterated his call for calm and restraint and for the ZDF to ensure that peace and stability are not undermined in Zimbabwe.
SADC will continue to monitor the situation closely.
11:15 President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of SADC, has noted with great concern the unfolding political situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe. See statement Zuma issues statement on Zim situation
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10:06: Reports reaching NewsDay state thatZanu Pf youth leader Kudzanai Chipanga who challenged the military in a press conference was picked up by military police yesterday 10pm at his Harare home.
Pictures of Soldiers in Harare CBD by Shepherd Tozvireva
8:51: AT least three leading figures in G40 faction of Zanu PF that had been reportedly fomenting chaos in the ruling party were picked up in the early hours of Wednesday following the intervention of the country’s Defence Forces, NewsDay has learnt. Although the reports remain unconfirmed at the moment, indications are Finance minister Ignatius Chombo (Zanu PF’s secretary for administration), national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo were arrested in raids at their respective homes. Moyo is believed to have been the brains behind the G40 faction that has reportedly been masterminding the expulsion of liberation war heroes in Zanu PF including the recent sacking of former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. An uneasy calm is obtaining in Harare but citizens are going about their business oblivious to the shifting political power dynamics in the country.
8:31: There is strong military presence at the Robert Mugabe International Airport. According to a eye-witness: “Domestic flights are operating as normal but we had to go through thorough security check points by soldiers.”
The army has announced on state broadcaster that President Robert Mugabe and family are safe but army is ‘targeting criminals around him’
There are unconfirmed reports that the army has arrested some ministers. The army has also recalled soldiers on leave. There is a presence of army personnel in Harare city and other towns.
More to follow
