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Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe under arrest as military moves in

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s 37-year hold on power looks over after he and his family were arrested as country’s military takes control of the capital Harare.

Soldiers seized the state broadcaster and a general appeared on television to announce the takeover.

Armoured vehicles, meanwhile, blocked roads to the main government offices, parliament and the courts in central Harare, while taxis ferried commuters to work nearby as the atmosphere in the capital remained calm.

In his first contact with the outside world since the takeover, Mr Mugabe spoke by telephone to South African President Jacob Zuma, and told him he was confined to his home but fine, the South African president said in a statement.

It was not clear whether the apparent military coup would bring a formal end to the 93-year-old Mugabe’s rule; the main goal of the generals appeared to be preventing Mugabe’s wife Grace, 41 years his junior, from succeeding him.

Mr Mugabe is “confined to his home” but “fine”, Mr Zuma said Thursday morning (AEST) after their phone call.

The secretary-general of the national war veterans association, Victor Matemadanda, said Mr Mugabe should be removed as Zimbabwe’s president and as the leader of the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Mr Matemadanda is a key ally of the military as well as former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was fired by Mr Mugabe last week.

Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe with an iron fist since the former Rhodesia’s independence from the United Kingdom was recognised in 1980.

Zimbabwe’s military effectively seized power in the early hours of Wednesday local time by taking control of Mr Mugabe’s offices, parliament, the airport and the state broadcaster.

“Robert Mugabe and his family’s safety is guaranteed,” a Zimbabwean military spokesman said, stating that the army was only “targeting criminals” in the administration.

Mr Zuma urged Zimbabwe’s military not to make “unconstitutional changes of government”.

Speaking as chairman of the Southern African Development Community, Mr Zuma demanded the military and government “resolve the political impasse amicably”, while calling for “calm and restraint”.

Zimbabwe military

Zimbabwe’s armed forces are patrolling the streets of Harare. Photo: Getty

The SADC was sending two special envoys to Zimbabwe, the South African defence minister and minister of state security, to meet with Mugabe and the military, Mr Zuma added.

The atmosphere was tense in the capital, with tanks patrolling the city.

Mr Mugabe’s offices and parliament had been cordoned off by security forces. Hundreds of Zimbabweans were lining up at banks to withdraw money.

The move to seize power comes two days after top army general Constantino Chiwenga warned Mr Mugabe the military would “step in” if he continued to expel people from the ruling party, including Mr Mnangagwa.

Mr Mugabe had also threatened to fire more than 100 officials linked to Mr Mnangagwa.

The military has continued to deny it is carrying out a coup.

“We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover of government,” said army spokesman Sibusiso Moyo, adding that the army was “only targeting criminals” who are “causing social and economic suffering”.

“As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy,” Mr Moyo said.

The Department of Foriegn Affairs and Trade warned Australian travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution” and recosider any plans to travel to Harare.

“Remain indoors and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid demonstrations, rallies and large-scale public gatherings as they could turn violent,” the DFAT website warned.

“Also avoid political activity or activities which could be interpreted as political, including political discussions in public places.”

The US embassy urged its citizens in Zimbabwe to “shelter in place” and said it had closed its embassy to the public because of the “ongoing public uncertainty”. Britain also advised its citizens to stay at home.

The recent developments in Zimbabwe are “a matter of concern” for the European Union, said European Commission spokeswoman Catherine Ray.

– With AAP

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