News / National
Military tanks roll into Harare, sparking coup fears
20 Feb 2025 at 05:07hrs | Views
More than 20 military tanks rolled into Harare's affluent Borrowdale suburb on Wednesday morning, triggering panic among residents who feared a repeat of the 2017 coup that led to the ouster of former President Robert Mugabe.
The sight of heavily armed military vehicles moving through the capital comes at a time of growing political tensions within the ruling Zanu-PF party. Deepening factional divisions, coupled with mounting calls from a section of war veterans for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down over allegations of corruption and economic mismanagement, have fueled speculation of unrest within government ranks.
However, government officials were quick to dismiss any speculation of a coup, insisting the military's presence was part of routine exercises.
Information Permanent Secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana took to social media to assure the public, stating there was "nothing to be concerned about."
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba echoed similar sentiments through his X (formerly Twitter) account, posting: "Support your Zimbabwe Defence Force, ZDF, as it goes through the routine of ensuring all its battle systems are in tip-top state!!! #ZDF, KEEPING YOU SECURE AND DEFENDED."
Despite these reassurances, concerns remain high as Zimbabweans recall the events of November 2017, when military vehicles rolled into the capital under similar circumstances, eventually leading to Mugabe's forced resignation.
Political analysts suggest that the latest military movements, even if part of standard drills, carry significant implications given the current political climate. The calls from war veterans and reports of growing discontent within Zanu-PF indicate a possible power struggle that could shape the country's political landscape in the coming months.
As tensions simmer, Harare residents remain watchful, with many hoping the latest show of military strength is truly just a drill and not a prelude to yet another seismic shift in Zimbabwean politics.
The sight of heavily armed military vehicles moving through the capital comes at a time of growing political tensions within the ruling Zanu-PF party. Deepening factional divisions, coupled with mounting calls from a section of war veterans for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down over allegations of corruption and economic mismanagement, have fueled speculation of unrest within government ranks.
However, government officials were quick to dismiss any speculation of a coup, insisting the military's presence was part of routine exercises.
Information Permanent Secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana took to social media to assure the public, stating there was "nothing to be concerned about."
Despite these reassurances, concerns remain high as Zimbabweans recall the events of November 2017, when military vehicles rolled into the capital under similar circumstances, eventually leading to Mugabe's forced resignation.
Political analysts suggest that the latest military movements, even if part of standard drills, carry significant implications given the current political climate. The calls from war veterans and reports of growing discontent within Zanu-PF indicate a possible power struggle that could shape the country's political landscape in the coming months.
As tensions simmer, Harare residents remain watchful, with many hoping the latest show of military strength is truly just a drill and not a prelude to yet another seismic shift in Zimbabwean politics.
Source - newsday
