Political unrest in Zimbabwe has prompted an increasing military presence in an attempt to remedy the “country’s suffering,” according to a statement made by a military official on state broadcaster ZBC.
The official said that President Robert Mugabe and his wife are safe. However, South African President Jacob Zuma said in an interview with SABC News that he is “fine but confined in his home.”
Zuma speaks on his conversation with Mugabe. Official confirmation that the Zim president is detained at his home. pic.twitter.com/SveTe7o7M3
— Zim Media Review (@ZimMediaReview) November 15, 2017
Isaac Moyo, Zimbabwe’s ambassador in South Africa, dismissed talks of a coup and said that the government was “intact.”
The US embassy in Harare, the country’s capital, tweeted that it would be closed to the public on Wednesday with minimal staff because of “ongoing uncertainty.” US citizens in Zimbabwe were also advised to shelter in place until further notice:
Due to ongoing uncertainty in Zimbabwe, the U.S. Embassy in Harare will be minimally staffed and closed to the public on November 15. Embassy personnel will continue to monitor the situation closely. @StateDept
— U.S. Embassy Harare (@usembassyharare) November 15, 2017
A similar tweet was sent from the UK Foreign Office, advising Brits in Harare to “remain safely at home or in their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer.”