The arrival of more than 20 military tanks in the Borrowdale suburb of Harare, Zimbabwe on Wednesday morning has caused panic among residents and raised fears of a possible coup similar to the 2017 military intervention that led to the ouster of former President Robert Mugabe.
The movement of heavily armed military vehicles comes amid rising political tensions within the ruling Zanu-PF party. Deepening factional disputes and growing calls from some war veterans for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign over allegations of corruption and economic misconduct have fuelled speculation of unrest in government circles.
But government officials have been quick to dismiss rumours of a coup, insisting the military presence was part of routine exercises.
Permanent Secretary for Information Ndavaningi Mangwana reassured the public on social media that there was “nothing to worry about”. Presidential spokesman George Charamba has also weighed in, calling on Zimbabweans to support the Zimbabwe Defence Force (ZDF) as it conducts “routine” exercises to maintain its war readiness.
Despite these assurances, concerns remain as many Zimbabweans recall the events of November 2017, when a similar military build-up took place before Mugabe was forced to step down.
Political analysts suggest that the recent military movements may be part of standard exercises, but they have significant implications given the country’s tense political climate. Growing discontent within Zanu-PF and calls for a change of leadership point to potential power struggles that could shape Zimbabwe’s political course in the coming months.
As uncertainty persists, Harare residents remain on edge, monitoring the situation closely and hoping that the military presence is merely an exercise rather than a sign of impending political turmoil.