In a move that could betray its fears of an “imminent military coup”, state security ministers and military chiefs on Wednesday night dismissed rumours of an impending putsch.
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe denied the alleged plot, which many outside the boardroom at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Munhumutapa offices were hearing for the first time.
Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe named former Zanu PF national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, some government and security services officials and MDC Alliance deputy national chairman Job Sikhala among others as being part of a plot to oust President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“The government has noted with grave concern these rumours suggesting an imminent military coup d’état in the country. The government would like to unequivocally debunk and dismiss these rumours with the contempt they deserve,” Kazembe said following a meeting of the Working Committee of the National Security Council.
Kazembe said the rumour, which he claimed was being fueled by “merchants of discord” including opposition politicians, journalists and religious leaders further suggested that once a coup succeeded, a National Transitional Authority would be established to “govern Zimbabwe minus Zanu PF for an unspecified period.”
He added: “Of course nothing could be further from the true reality of Zimbabwe’s security situation, now and for the foreseeable future. Indeed, both claims of a military coup d’état and an NTA in the making amount to mere agenda-setting by merchants of discord amongst our people with the support of their foreign handlers. They are completely unfounded.
More details to follow
