Making headlines: Zimbabwe military launches mission to stop 'criminals', Mugabe ‘safe’; Mkhize says he was at the core of 'slate politics' in lead-up to Polokwane ; And, ZANU-PF youth wing 'ready to die' for Mugabe

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Zimbabwe military launches mission to stop 'criminals', Mugabe ‘safe’

In a confusing statement on what appears to be a coup in all but name, Zimbabwe's military said it was carrying out a targeted assault on "criminals" around President Robert Mugabe who were causing social and economic suffering, but gave assurances that the 93-year-old leader and his family were "safe and sound".

Zimbabwean soldiers were deployed across Harare and the state broadcaster had been seized, while armoured vehicles blocked roads to the main government offices, parliament and the courts in central Harare.

During the night sustained bursts of gunfire for up to four minutes could be heard near Mugabe’s private residence.

Several Cabinet Ministers had been arrested including local government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and finance minister Ignatius Chombo, as well as Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwayo, according to the UK’s The Telegraph quoting a government source.

Chombo has been a leading member of the so-called 'G40' faction of the ruling ZANU-PF party, led by Mugabe's wife Grace Mugabe, that had been vying to succeed Mugabe.

Last week Mugabe fired main rival to Grace in the bid to lead the country once he dies or steps down, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and in the last 24 hours he has apparently returned to the country from exile in China.

Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party had accused the head of the military of treason, prompting frenzied speculation of a coup.

Mkhize says he was at the core of 'slate politics' in lead-up to Polokwane

African National Congress treasurer general Zweli Mkhize has expressed some regret for participating in slate politics and admits there were some disappointing moments under President Jacob Zuma’s leadership.

The presidential hopeful made the comments yesterday while in conversation with News24’s Frontline.

He admitted to his role in slate politics in the lead-up to the 2007 watershed Polokwane conference, where Zuma unseated former president Thabo Mbeki as leader of the ANC.

Mkhize admitted that one of the things he was not necessarily proud about is that in the lead-up to Polokwane, he was the one who used to check that the whole group accommodated the Zuma’s slate.

Mkhize said he believed that there needed to be a spread of leadership, who the voting delegates at the ANC’s elective conference would vote for based on experience, skills and suitability, to create a team to take the liberation movement forward.

And, ZANU-PF youth wing 'ready to die' for Mugabe

The youth wing of Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party has said it is "ready to die" for President Robert Mugabe, following the threat by the military to intervene, which it has acted on, if a purge of former liberation war fighters continues.

Kudzai Chipanga, leader of ZANU-PF's Youth League, yesterday said that they would not allow the army to choose the country's leaders amid rising tensions in the wake of Mugabe's firing of his vice president.

Following the apparent coup, which the army says is a measure targeting “criminals”, not a coup, Mugabe is said to be under heavy guard after soldiers cordoned off the parliament building and the defence headquarters as the security situation deteriorates in the southern African country.

Two journalists have reportedly been hospitalised after they were allegedly assaulted by the military while covering the unfolding events in the Zimbabwean capital.

The recently renamed international airport has also been sealed off. No official comment has been issued by authorities thus far.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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