Zimbabwe finally gets its Regime change - "coup" in progress

Posted: 15/11/2017

17 November 2017 - RPS Partnership

Update on 17 November 2017

Some Media trying to get into Zimbabwe on tourist visas are getting stopped and sent back to the country they came from.

The Media Commission has now confirmed that all media reporting in the country must go through Ministry of Information, contact Dr Gurira +263 712 867 333 and Mrs Dengwani +263 716 800 157.

Once you have filled in an application it i s sent to central intelligence then once you get clearance you can get a press card in about 10mins. They say if you come on a tourist visa, you may not get the clearance from Ministry of info as you have entered entered under false pretenses. They are however processing a number of applications in a couple of days for people who not yet entered the country.

Contact us if you wish to attend our Hostile Environment and First Aid course on 20-22 November 2017 [email protected]

The Zimbabwean military took control of key government positions in Harare, and said that President Robert Mugabe has been detained. Reports are now coming in from Zimbabwe and RPS Partnership's contacts in Harare tell us that things are expected to be peaceful.

The military announced that it was “targeting criminals around Mugabe who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering”.

Neither President Mugabe, or his wife Grace, have been seen in public since the military deployed to Harare on 14 November.

Unconfirmed sources said that Mugabe is under house arrest and that the military will likely ask him to resign. Media sources reported three explosions in Harare late on 13 November, but details on these remain unclear. There have been no reports of casualties.

The military takeover has been led by former liberation fighters in the military. Members of the armed forces warned that they would intervene on 13 November following the dismissal of former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

It is being called a "coup" and it is likely aimed at the “G40” faction of the ruling ZANU-PF party, which has supported Grace Mugabe as a successor to President Mugabe. Reuters reported that the military arrested Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo, a leading member of the G40.

Local media sources also reported the arrest of ZANU-PF Youth League leader Kudzai Chipanga and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence Albert Ngulube, two key allies of Grace Mugabe.

Both US and UK embassies have advised staff and citizens to shelter in place and avoid protests and gatherings.

Air travel at Harare International Airport has reportedly not been affected so far, but it is advised to closely monitor the situation in anticipation of possible travel disruption. Road travel across the capital is likely to be affected by military checkpoints.

RPS Partnership advises everyone to stay at home today and listen to local media and then make travel decisions based on what happens in the next 24 hours. Contact us on [email protected] if you are unsure what to do. We would also advise anyone in the country to avoid attending demonstrations or discussing the president at this time until things are more cedrtain.

Source: Media and PGI Risk.

Photo: With thanks to https://www.independent.co.ug/full-statement-zimbabwe-army-tv-today/

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