HARARE – The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has insisted that what is currently happening in Zimbabwe is not a military takeover but a move to pacify a degenerating political, social and economic situation in the country which, if not resolved, may result in violent conflict.
ZDF which appeared on national broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), early this morning, maintained that it is targeting criminals around the president in the Zanu-PF succession matrix. The national broadcaster, which initially did not report on the first press conference issued by ZDF on Monday afternoon, is apparently now under the control of the Force.
“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 Major General Sibusiso Moyo in a statement on the national broadcaster this morning. The message is currently being repeated regularly on ZBC.
The ZDF says as soon as it accomplishes its mission, it expects the situation to retain to normalcy. “We urge the generality of Zimbabweans to remain calm and limit unnecessary movement”.
“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 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,” read part of the statement”, said Major General Moyo.
Though the situation seems calm around the capital Harare, a tense atmosphere is everywhere with the presence of armored vehicles in some designated streets, especially in the Parliament and Munhumutapa vicinity.
The ZDF also assured that President Robert Mugabe and family are safe and sound, adding that their security is guaranteed. All members of the Defense forces who were on leave have since been ordered to return to the barracks with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF yesterday said it will not succumb to any threats deriving from “conduct that is inconsistent with the tenets of democracy and constitutionalism”. In a statement released by the party’s spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo, released yesterday evening, he said, “Such conduct stands unreservedly condemned not only in the party but also in our southern African region”.
Some foreign embassies in the country, such as United States Embassy, have already issued statements warning their citizens in the country to stay indoors, saying that they are monitoring the situation closely. “Due to ongoing uncertainty in Zimbabwe, the U.S. Embassy in Harare will be minimally staffed and closed to the public on November 15. Embassy personnel will continue to monitor the situation closely”, said the embassy in a statement.
