Army seizes power in Zimbabwe but denies Mugabe coup

Zimbabwe is now under the control of the country’s military after the army seized power on Wednesday, but said they guaranteed the security of President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe has been in power in Zimbabwe since 1980 and had recently sacked deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa in favour of his own wife.

Military officials denied that the move was a cou, and said they had taken control to oust a series of "criminals" who had surrounded Mugabe and caused "social and economic suffering".

Speaking on state broadcaster ZBC after its offices were overrun by soldiers, Major General Sibusiso Moyo said Mugabe and his family were safe.

"We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes [...] that are causing social and economic suffering in the country," he said.

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

There were several reports of gunshots and explosions in the capital city of Harare during the night, specifically in the area of Mugabe’s residence.

A bitter feud has erupted in recent months over who Mugabe’s successor will be, with the 93-year old reportedly in ill health.

Mugabe has dominated the country’s politics since it became independent from the UK in 1980.