Top allies of President Robert Mugabe and members of his Cabinet have been arrested following a military operation which seeks to depose the world’s oldest leader.
Masvingo Resident Minister Paul Chimedza is the latest after Soldiers allegedly nabbed him at an army roadblock in Bubi while trying to flee to South Africa.
Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo who have been hiding at President Robert Mugabe’s private residence - have reportedly been arrested by the army. The two were spearheading Grace Mugabe’s rise to power under a G40 faction.
“I can now confirm that Cabinet Ministers Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere have been picked up from President Mugabe’s “Blue Roof residence to KGV1 Military Barracks,” Zimbabwe media Owner Trevor Ncube tweeted.
“I once told them to renovate prisons, warning them that one day they’ll go there. They didn’t listen”, former ruling party official Temba Mliswa said on tweeter.
Finance minister Ignatius Chombo whose house was raided by soldiers amid reports that the army discovered millions of dollars, is also among those nabbed and are being held at a military base.
Officials in Zimbabwe have also announced that a Deputy Director Central Intelligence Organisation Albert Ngulube and outspoken leader of Zanu-PF National Youth League, Kudzanayi Chipanga are in custody.
Chipanga, who earlier issued a statement on Tuesday attacking the Zimbabwe Defense Forces commander General Constantino Chiwega, has since tendered an unreserved apology to the army.
There are indication that Mnanagwa, sacked by Mugabe last week, is expected to take over the country in an interim capacity.
