Zimbabwe’s ruling party says ousted VP now ‘interim president’

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Ousted VP E Mnagwagwa (L) together with president Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace Mugabe at a past function PHOTO COURTESY

Harare,Zimbabwe:Zimbabwean ousted vice president Emerson Mnangagwa has been fronted as the interim president hours after the Zimbabwean military took control of the capital Harare and the country’s national broadcaster.

According to a twitter handle linked to the ruling party ZANU-PF, the VP would also be president of the ruling party.

“Last night the first family was detained and are safe, both for the constitution and the sanity of the nation this was necessary. Neither Zimbabwe nor ZANU are owned by Mugabe and his wife. Today begins a fresh new era and comrade Mnangagwa will help us achieve a better Zimbabwe.” Party officials tweeted.
The party has also commended the country’s army for conducting the said process in a peaceful way.

On Tuesday the Zimbabwean media reported that military trucks and tanks had been seen patrolling the streets of the capital Harare .

BBC reported that heavy gunfire could be heard in the Northern parts of the capital Harare where senior government officials including president Mugabe reside.

Later the Zimbabwean Defence forces spokesperson took control of the national broadcaster the Zimbabwean broadcasting corporation denied claims of an attempted coup saying the 93 year old Mugabe’s family was safe.

“To both our people and the world beyond our borders, we wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover of government,” Maj. Gen. S.B. Moyo said on Tuesday evening .

The spokesperson also said they were targeting Mugabe’s allies who had brought economic suffering to the country.

“We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes… that are causing social and economic suffering in the country,” Moyo added.

Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe sacked Mnangwagwa last week in what was seen as a secession row in the ZANU-PF.

The African news Agency on Wednesday reported that Mnangagwa has landed at the Robert Mugabe international airport in the capital Harare on Wednesday morning.

Mnangwagwa’s sacking ignited a row between the army and supporters and close allies of Mugabe’s wife Grace Mugabe.

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