Zimbabwe Army Launches Takeover Against ‘Criminals’ Around Mugabe

This screen grab taken early on Nov. 15, 2017 from a television broadcast on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting corporation (ZBC) shows Zimbabwe Major General Sibusiso Moyo (R) reading a statement at the ZBC in Harare. Zimbabwe's military appeared to be in control of the country on Nov. 15 as generals denied staging a coup but used state television to vow to target "criminals" close to President Robert Mugabe.Dewa Mavhinga/AFP/Getty Images

HARARE—Zimbabwe’s military seized power early on Wednesday targeting “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe but gave assurances on national television that the 93-year-old leader and his family were “safe and sound”.

Soldiers and armored vehicles blocked roads to the main government offices, parliament and the courts in central Harare, while taxis ferried commuters to work nearby, a Reuters witness said.