Tension in Zimbabwe as Mugabe fires Mnangagwa; Military may interfere

Tension prevailed in Zimbabwe on Tuesday as armoured vehicles were seen outside the capital a day after the army commander threatened to “step in” to calm political tensions over President Robert Mugabe’s firing of his deputy.

This was an open rift between the military and 93-year-old Mugabe.

Mugabe last week fired vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa and accused him of plotting to take power, including through witchcraft. Mnangagwa had repeatedly clashed with First Lady Grace Mugabe.

Mnangagwa, who enjoyed the backing of the military and was once seen as a potential successor to Mugabe, fled the country and said he and his family had been threatened.

On Monday, army chief Gen Constantino Chiwenga issued an unprecedented statement saying “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,”