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Farirai Machivenyika, Senior Reporter 10:26 – Action taken by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) today does not represent a military takeover of the Government but is meant to address the political, social and economic situation that could have ended in violent conflict, the ZDF said in a statement. LISTEN TO STATEMENT HERE 10:41 – The situation in Harare’s CBD is calm with people going about their business. ZDF says “As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.”

10:45 – ZDF started with a statement Monday 13 November 2017 in which Commander General Constantine Chiwenga asserted that the military would not hesitate to step in if the country’s revolution was threatened. General Chiwenga said drastic action would be taken immediately to stop counter revolutionaries from sliding Zimbabwe back into colonisation. WATCH VIDEO BELOW 11:16 – It is business as usual in Harare and other cities across the country with Zimbabweans going about their daily routines. ZDF announced early morning today that it has taken action to address the political, social and economic situation in the country that it said risked turning violent.

11:21 – The announcement by ZDF that it has taken action to address the situation in Zimbabwe is trending on social media and dominated conversations across the globe.

11:23 – Meanwhile the situation across the country remains calm as Zimbabweans took in the news.

11:26 – President Jacob Zuma (South Africa) has issued a statement on behalf of SADC calling for calm and restraint in Zimbabwe

12:24 – Meanwhile the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association press conference is under way in Harare.

13:17 – Cde Matemadanda says the country’s national Constitution had been thrown into the dustbin hence the effort to restore Constitutionalism.

13: 28 – He says unlike the Lancaster House Constitution, the 2013 Constitution was written by all political parties. Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association applauds the role taken by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to normalise the situation  in Zanu-PF and the country. ZNLWA says Zanu-PF should return to constitutionalism and reverse all the expulsions and suspensions that were spearheaded by the G40 cabal . ZNLWA demands that President Mugabe explain why he chose to associate himself with Jonathan Moyo and failed to recognize the response by Cde Mnangagwa. ZNLWA says President Mugabe should be recalled as the first secretary and President of Zimbabwe.

13:35 – “It is true that the freedom fighters are stakeholders not from dictatorial tendencies. We ask the ZBC to be patriotic this time and not to report from factional corners. We know they were taking orders from somewhere,” says Cde Matemadanda.

 

 

 

 

 

14:38 – Meanwhile the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association has thrown its weight behind actions taken by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to restore normalcy in the social, political and economic life in the country. This was said by the ZNLWVA Secretary General Cde Victor Matemadanda while addressing a press conference this afternoon.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW

NO MILITARY TAKEOVER IN ZIM: Full Report

Action taken by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces today does not represent a military takeover of the Government but is meant to address the political, social and economic situation that could have ended in violent conflict.

Addressing the nation on ZBCTv early this morning, ZDF spokesperson, Major General Sibusiso Busi Moyo, who was flanked by Air Vice Marshall Jacob Nzvede urged people to go about their normal business but limit unneccessary movement.

“To both our people and the world beyond our borders, we wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover of Government. What the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating political, social and economic situation in our country which if not addressed may result in violent conflict,” Maj-Gen Moyo said.

He also said President Mugabe and his family were safe and their security was guaranteed.

“We wish to assure the nation that His Excellency, The President, of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde R.G. Mugabe and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.

“We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice. As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy,” Maj-Gen Moyo added.

The ZDF spokesperson called for calm among Zimbabweans.

“To the generality of the people of Zimbabwe, we urge you to remain calm and limit unnecessary movement. However, we encourage those who are employed and those with essential business in the city to continue their normal activities as usual. “Our wish is that you enjoy your rights and freedoms and that we return our country to a dispensation that allows for investment, development and prosperity that we all fought for and for which many of our citizens paid the supreme sacrifice,” he added.

Maj-Gen Moyo assured other arms of the State that their actions were meant to protect their independence.

“To the civil servants, as you are aware, there is a plan by the same individuals to influence the current purging which is place in the political sphere to the civil service. We are against that act of injustice and we intend to protect every one of you against that.

“To the judiciary, the measures underway are intended to ensure that, as an independent arm of the State, you are able to exercise your independent authority without fear of being obstructed as has been the case with this group of individuals.

“To our Members of Parliament, your legislative role is of paramount importance for peace and stability in this country and it is our desire that a dispensation is created that allows you to serve your respective political constituencies according to democratic tenets,” he added.

He urged political parties to discourage their members from engaging in violence.

“To the youth, we call upon you to realise that the future of this country is yours. Do not be enticed with dirty coins of silver, be disciplined and remain committed to the ethos and values of this great nation.

“To all churches and religious organisations in Zimbabwe, we call upon you and your congregations to pray for our country and preach the gospel of love, peace, unity and development,” Maj-Gen Moyo said.

He also urged war veterans to ensure peace and stability in the country and said leave days for all ZDF members had been cancelled.

“To members of the Defence Forces, all leave is cancelled and you are all to return to your barracks with immediate effect. To our respected traditional leaders, you are the custodians of our culture, customs, traditions and heritage and we request you to provide leadership and direction to your communities for the sake of unity and development in our country.

“To the other security services, we urge you to cooperate for the good of our country. Let it be clear that we intend to address the human security threats in our country. Therefore, any provocation will be met with an appropriate response,” he added, calling on the media to report fairly.

 DAY 2

Zanu-PF Youth League  Secretary Cde Kudzanai Chipanga last night apologized to Commander, ZDF General Constantino Guveya Chiwenga and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces hierarchy for his remarks on Tuesday at the ZANU-PF Headquarters in which he denigrated the ZDF, saying he was not the author of the statement he read. The four-page statement, Cde Chipanga said, was handed to him on Tuesday morning by one Rodney Dangarembizi.

13:36 – Meanwhile DrJoice Mujuru and the People’s Rainbow Coalition held a press briefing at 12:30 Thursday afternoon frollowing the stepping in yesterday of the ZDF to address the political, social and economic situation that could have ended in violent conflict. Dr Mujuru is the nominated presidential candidate for the PRC for the 2018 elections.

VIDEO & Highlights from the press conference

– PRC values the collective will of the those who participated in the liberation struggle in fighting for self-rule, land and one-man one vote among others
– PRC believes in equal opportunities for all those who call Zimbabwe homes, and not a selected few.
– PRC is haertened by the assurances given by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces on the prevailing situation

– Dr Mujuru urged Zimbabweans to observe the rule of law during the process.
– PRC believes that the prevailing developments require participation by all critical stakeholders beyond political actors.
– There is no doubt that Zimbabwe is in need of a transitional arrangement
– Dr Mujuru said it is now time to reflect as Zimbabweans seek to rebuild the country

17:00 – President Mugabe today met Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantino Guveya Chiwenga at State House together with Father Fidelis Mukonori and SA envoys who included Defence  Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and State Security Minister Bongani Bongoe. Also in attendance were Zimbabwe Defence Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi and  State Security Minister Cde Kembo Mohadi.

Speaking earlier this week Major General Sibusiso Busi Moyo said: “We are only targeting criminals around him (President Mugabe) who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice. As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy,” Maj-Gen Moyo added.

However the situation has already been normal with people going about their business through out the country.

DAY 3

06:11 – Early morning today General Chiwenga  issued a statement updating the nation that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces had made progress, accounting for some of the criminals in order to bring them to justice though others were still at large.

See full report here: We have made progress: ZDF

 12:10 – Meanwhile it is business as usual in the country with President Mugabe expected to cap Zimbabwe Open University graduating students in Harare this afternoon in his capacity as the University’s Chancellor.

17:00 – ZANU-PF provincial structures in all the country’s 10 provinces call for the resignation of their First Secretary, President Robert Mugabe.

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