- Zanu PF leaders accuse military of treason
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for calm, peace and respect for the constitution in Zimbabwe.
The President urged all political and military officers in Zimbabwe to avoid any action that may plunge the country into unnecessary conflict and impact negatively on the region.
According to President Buhari, “every attempt must be made to resolve all contentious issues by constitutional means in Zimbabwe to save the country from avoidable political instability.”
The appeal by the Nigerian leader came in the wake of reported “military takeover” as a result of rising political tension in the southern African country sequel to President Robert Mugabe’s recent removal of former Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
This led to the threat by the head of the Armed Forces of Zimbabwe, General Constantino Chiwenga, that “the military will not hesitate to step in” when the issue had to do with protecting the “revolution.”
The Zimbabwe’s top military general had on Monday called for an immediate end to purges against former liberation war fighters in President Robert Mugabe’s ruling party, after Emmerson Mnangagwa was stripped of his vice president’s post.
In a rare statement that highlighted the tensions rising in the impoverished southern African nation, General Constantino Chiwenga, commander of Zimbabwe Defence Forces said there was instability in ZANU-PF, which was causing anxiety in Zimbabwe.
Following the sacking of vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe armed forces commander, Constantine Chiwenga, said the security services would stop those “bent on hijacking the revolution.”
General Chiwenga spoke at a Harare press conference on the “instability” in Zanu-PF, alongside some 90 senior military figures. Mnangagwa was sacked last week by President Robert Mugabe, along with several other party members.
The former vice president was also expelled from Zanu PF, a party he served for more than 40 years, most of them at Mugabe’s side.
“It is with humility and a heavy heart that we come before you to pronounce the indisputable reality that there is instability in Zanu-PF today and as a result anxiety in the country at large,” General Chiwenga said.
“We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in.
“The current purging which is clearly targeting members of the party with liberation [war] backgrounds must stop forthwith. There is distress, trepidation and despondency within the nation,” he had declared.
There were clashes in central Harare in August between the Zimbabwe Republic Police – loyal to first lady Grace Mugabe and her allies in a Zanu-PF faction, G40 – and soldiers who are loyal to Mnangagwa.
Later that month, Mnangagwa claimed he was poisoned at a rally addressed by Mugabe, and was airlifted by a military aircraft to South Africa where he spent nearly two weeks in hospital.
Mnangagwa, 75, left the country after being dismissed and arrived in Johannesburg last Wednesday.
Under orders from Mugabe, he is accused of organising the murder of thousands of opposition supporters since independence from the UK in 1980.
He issued a five page statement when he left Zimbabwe last week saying he would return and would lead resistance to Mugabe.
“We will soon control the levers of power in our beautiful party and country,” he said. Many veterans of the war against white-ruled Rhodesia have turned against Mr. and Mrs. Mugabe and the G40 faction.
Mrs. Mugabe and her supporters, without providing any evidence, claim Mnangagwa planned to take power from Mugabe who is standing for re-election next year.
Mugabe’s wife told a rally in Harare 10 days ago that Mnangagwa had plotted against her husband since independence.
General Chiwenga’s contract as leader of the armed forces expired in July, and it is not clear whether Mugabe will keep him on in his job.
Military vehicles are currently on surveillance on the streets of Harare, Zimbabwean capital. Mugabe’s domain party, Zanu PF, has accused the military of committing treasonable felony in their actions to oust the President from office without the mandate of the people.