Zimbabwe’s military says it has seized power to target “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe, who it said is “safe and sound” in custody with his wife.
The army said it was securing government offices and patrolling the capital’s streets, after a night of unrest which included a military takeover of the state broadcaster.
The action triggered speculation of a coup, but the military’s supporters praised it as a “bloodless correction”.
Grace Mugabe, President Mugabe, has fled the country for Namibia, according to reports.
Mrs Mugabe is said to have left Zimbabwe following a night of unrest which saw her and her husband seized by troops.
President Mugabe, 93, who has been in charge of the country for 37 years, is understood to be “fine” but confined to his home.
The army said the security of Mr Mugabe and his wife “is guaranteed”.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover,” the military said in a statement.
“We are only targeting criminals around (Mugabe) who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice.”
The spokesman added that “as soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy”.
Mr Mugabe has been in power since 1980, when the country was liberated from white minority rule.
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