A Zimbabwe government spokesperson has dismissed fears of a coup in the making as military tanks rolled into the capital Harare on Wednesday.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Ndavaningi Mangwana said the tanks and other army vehicles were part of military drills planned for the capital.
While two tank columns rolled into the streets of the Zimbabwean capital, residents feared the worst as rumours began spreading that a military coup reminiscent of the one which toppled veteran leader Robert Mugabe in 2017 was in the offing.
At least 22 armoured cars and tanks were seen motoring through a section of downtown Harare synonymous with Zimbabwe’s high and mighty, leaving residents nonplussed.
“There is a scheduled exercise to test equipment which is taking place today, Wednesday. Nothing to be concerned about,” Ndavaningi Mangwana wrote.
Presidential spokesman George Charamba also allayed public fears by confirming that personnel of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces were on a routine exercise to ensure that ”all their battle systems are in tip-top state keeping you secure and defended.”
The drills happened during a time of political tensions in Zimbabwe where ruling Zanu PF apparatchiks are split over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision not to extend his stay in office when his second and final term runs out in 2028.
It was first thought that those opposed to his decision had made their move to oust him to preserve the party’s grip on power, rekindling memories of a similar intervention in 2017 when Mugabe, in power for 37 years was ousted by forces led retired general Constantino Chiwenga, a staunch Mnangagwa ally.
There are reports suggesting that President Mnangagwa had met Zimbabwe military chiefs shortly after returning from an African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Meanwhile nothing seemed amiss as residents of Harare and elsewhere in Zimbabwe go about their business on Thursday
WN/as/APA