Zimbabwe crisis: What we know so far

* Zimbabwean military officers read a statement on state TV in
the early hours of Wednesday, saying they were not launching a coup
but were “targeting criminals around” President Robert Mugabe.

* Military vehicles blocked roads outside the Zimbabwean
parliament Wednesday after army generals denied staging a coup.

* The army has detained Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo, a
source quoted by Reuters said.

* The US embassy in Zimbabwe on Wednesday warned its citizens in
the country to “shelter in place” due to “ongoing political
uncertainty”.

* Gunfire erupted near President Robert Mugabe’s private
residence in Harare in the early hours of Wednesday

* Several armoured vehicles were seen driving down main roads
outside the Zimbabwean capital Tuesday evening, a day after the
army warned it could intervene over a purge of ruling party
officials.

* Zimbabwe’s ruling party on Tuesday accused the army chief of
“treasonable conduct” after he challenged President Robert Mugabe
over the sacking of the vice president.

Zimbabwe military statement in full

“Good morning Zimbabwe.

Fellow Zimbabweans. Following the address we made on 13 November
2017, which we believe our main broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation and the Herald were directed not to publicise, the
situation in our country has moved to another level.

Firstly we wish to assure our nation, His Excellency, the
president of the republic of Zimbabwe and commander in chief of the
Zimbabwe Defence Forces, comrade R G Mugabe and his family, are
safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.

CRIMINALS

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.

As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the
situation will return to normalcy.

To the civil servants, as you are aware there is a plan by the
same individuals to influence the current purging which is taking
place in the political sphere. To the civil service, we are against
that act of injustice and we intend to protect every one of you
against that.

To the judiciary, the measures underway are intended to ensure
that as an independent arm of the state you are able to exercise
your independent authority without fear of being obstructed as has
been the case with this group of individuals.

PEACE

To our members of parliament, your legislative role is of
paramount importance, of peace and stability in this country, and
it is our desire that a dispensation is created that allows you to
serve your respective political constituencies according to
democratic tenants.

To the generality of the people of Zimbabwe, we urge you to
remain calm and limit unnecessary movement. However we encourage
those who are employed and those with essential business in the
city to continue their normal activities as usual. Our wish is that
you will enjoy your rights and freedoms and that we return our
country to a dispensation that allows for investment, development
and prosperity that we all fought for and for which many of our
citizens paid the supreme sacrifice.

To political parties, we urge you to discourage your members
from engaging in violent behaviour. To the youth, we call upon you
to realise that the future of this country is yours. Do not be
enticed with the dirty coins of silver, be disciplined and remain
committed to the efforts and values of this great nation.

To all churches and religious organisations in Zimbabwe we call
upon your congregations to pray for our country and preach the
gospel of love, peace and unity and development. To both our people
and the world beyond our borders, we wish to make this abundantly
clear this is not a military takeover of government. What the
Zimbabwe defence forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating
political, social and economic situation in our country which if
not addressed may result in violent conflict.

WORK

We call upon all the war veterans to play a positive role in
ensuring peace, stability and unity in the country. To members of
the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, all leave is cancelled and you are all
to return to your barracks with immediate effect.

To the other security forces, we urge you to cooperate for the
good of our country. Let it be clear we intend to address the human
security threats in our country. Therefore any provocation will be
met with an appropriate response.

And to the media, we urge you to report fairly and
responsibly.

We thank you.”

* Zimbabwean military officers read a statement on state TV in
the early hours of Wednesday, saying they were not launching a coup
but were “targeting criminals around” President Robert
Mugabe.

* Military vehicles blocked roads outside the Zimbabwean
parliament Wednesday after army generals denied staging a coup.

* The army has detained Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo, a
source quoted by Reuters said.

* The US embassy in Zimbabwe on Wednesday warned its citizens in
the country to “shelter in place” due to “ongoing political
uncertainty”.

* Gunfire erupted near President Robert Mugabe’s private
residence in Harare in the early hours of Wednesday

* Several armoured vehicles were seen driving down main roads
outside the Zimbabwean capital Tuesday evening, a day after the
army warned it could intervene over a purge of ruling party
officials.

* Zimbabwe’s ruling party on Tuesday accused the army chief of
“treasonable conduct” after he challenged President Robert Mugabe
over the sacking of the vice president.

Zimbabwe military statement in full

“Good morning Zimbabwe.

Fellow Zimbabweans. Following the address we made on 13 November
2017, which we believe our main broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation and the Herald were directed not to publicise, the
situation in our country has moved to another level.

Firstly we wish to assure our nation, His Excellency, the
president of the republic of Zimbabwe and commander in chief of the
Zimbabwe Defence Forces, comrade R G Mugabe and his family, are
safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.

CRIMINALS

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.

As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the
situation will return to normalcy.

To the civil servants, as you are aware there is a plan by the
same individuals to influence the current purging which is taking
place in the political sphere. To the civil service, we are against
that act of injustice and we intend to protect every one of you
against that.

To the judiciary, the measures underway are intended to ensure
that as an independent arm of the state you are able to exercise
your independent authority without fear of being obstructed as has
been the case with this group of individuals.

PEACE

To our members of parliament, your legislative role is of
paramount importance, of peace and stability in this country, and
it is our desire that a dispensation is created that allows you to
serve your respective political constituencies according to
democratic tenants.

To the generality of the people of Zimbabwe, we urge you to
remain calm and limit unnecessary movement. However we encourage
those who are employed and those with essential business in the
city to continue their normal activities as usual. Our wish is that
you will enjoy your rights and freedoms and that we return our
country to a dispensation that allows for investment, development
and prosperity that we all fought for and for which many of our
citizens paid the supreme sacrifice.

To political parties, we urge you to discourage your members
from engaging in violent behaviour. To the youth, we call upon you
to realise that the future of this country is yours. Do not be
enticed with the dirty coins of silver, be disciplined and remain
committed to the efforts and values of this great nation.

To all churches and religious organisations in Zimbabwe we call
upon your congregations to pray for our country and preach the
gospel of love, peace and unity and development. To both our people
and the world beyond our borders, we wish to make this abundantly
clear this is not a military takeover of government. What the
Zimbabwe defence forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating
political, social and economic situation in our country which if
not addressed may result in violent conflict.

WORK

We call upon all the war veterans to play a positive role in
ensuring peace, stability and unity in the country. To members of
the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, all leave is cancelled and you are all
to return to your barracks with immediate effect.

To the other security forces, we urge you to cooperate for the
good of our country. Let it be clear we intend to address the human
security threats in our country. Therefore any provocation will be
met with an appropriate response.

And to the media, we urge you to report fairly and
responsibly.

We thank you.”